Authorities in a recent cargo theft bust recovered more than $1.6M in stolen electronics recovered from a tractor-trailer owned by someone whose CDL stated their first name was "No Name Given" and their last name was "Diamond."
That's according to the Overhaul cargo theft recording and supply chain protection firm, which assisted in the recovery of the load after it was stolen from its origin at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.
Overhaul's Law Enforcement Connect team hopped on the case when the load went past its Childress, Texas, destination, through New Mexico, and into Arizona, and eventually coordinated with Arizona Highway Patrol to set up on I-40.
[Related: California cargo theft horror stories]
When authorities finally stopped the tractor-trailer near Flagstaff, Overhaul reported that three subjects were found in the tractor -- two of whom were identified as drivers and all of whom were arrested. Two of the subjects were in the country illegally, Overhaul noted.
As noted at the top, the owner of the tractor hauling the misdirected cargo had a California CDL with last name “Diamond” and first name “No Name Given.”
"California law requires a customer applying for a driver’s license (DL) or identification (ID) card to present an identity document such as a birth certificate or passport that includes their 'true full name,'" a California DMV spokesperson told Overdrive. "The DMV will enter the customer’s name as indicated on the identity document. If 'No Name Given' is listed in the first name field on the identity document, the DMV will enter 'No Name Given' as the first name for the DL/ID card. This policy is the same for all types of DLs and IDs issued by the DMV."
As for issuing CDLs to non-citizens, California does issue "limited" term CDLs for citizens of foreign countries, and does not track the citizenship status of its CDL population, the California DMV previously told Overdrive.
Additionally, applicants for licenses with the California DMV, including Real IDs, can submit a wide range of documents, including things like photocopies of cell phone bills, letters from any shelter, nonproft, employer, faith-based organization, or government within the U.S. attesting that the applicant is a resident of California.
A September 2022 bill signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom also hopes to expand Real ID access to all, including undocumented immigrants and those who can't or won't prove legal status by 2027.
The DMV spokesperson said California's licensing practices meet federal standards.
"All applicants for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must submit proof of legal presence in the U.S. as mandated by federal law," the spokesperson concluded.
What about having just one name? It's rare, but U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says some people only have one name, giving the example of Afghanistan, where it's "common" to have only a given name. In those cases, USCIS will insert "No Name Given" for the missing moniker.
As previously reported, to mitigate against cargo theft, Overhaul recommended shippers of high-value products thoroughly vet all parties moving freight in their network. Document drivers, tractors and trailers that arrive at pickup with pictures of all and identifying markings. Additionally, check driver and CDL credentials to verify it's who you're expecting.
[Related: Hundreds of CDLs sold for cash to illegal immigrants: Florida AG]
