Campus police officers are investigating an ISU student in connection with a “relatively sophisticated” operation of manufacturing and selling false drivers’ licenses from his Wallace Hall dorm room.

About 20 people have been cited in the past several days for carrying fake drivers’ licenses, said Jerry Stewart, director of the Department of Public Safety Police Division.

A primary suspect in the case has been identified, but no charges have been filed, Stewart said. He would not release the suspect’s name, and Stewart said he did not know exactly when the suspect would be charged.

“We’re simply investigating, trying to confiscate as many [false licenses] as possible,” he said.

DPS officials executed a search warrant about a week ago “pertaining to a false drivers’ license production operation,” Stewart said.

Officers seized two computers, a laminator, scanning equipment, a digital camera and documents related to producing fake out-of-state drivers’ licenses from two residence hall rooms on the seventh floor of Wallace Hall.

Officers also found a .22-caliber handgun and ammunition in a desk drawer.

Investigators are working to identify purchasers of the false cards by examining the contents of the computers, Stewart said.

“Preliminary indications are that approximately 50 or more false drivers’ licenses were produced and sold on campus during the past academic year,” Stewart said.

Investigators are “working methodically to determine the identity and location” of those who bought IDs, he said.

Officials suspect students from schools other than Iowa State also bought false licenses, Stewart said.

Officers were able to get a search warrant after “cooperating individuals” arranged to purchase false identification, he said.

False identification cards are a problem across the country for businesses that sell liquor, law enforcement officials and others, Stewart said.

“Web sites and spring break-type booths that advertise and sell cards as novelty items make it relatively easy for underage people to purchase these items,” he said.

Stewart said he’s never seen an operation “on this scale.”

“This appears to be a relatively sophisticated operation as to the quality of cards produced,” he said. “There’s no question that the level of sophistication was made possible through the use of computer equipment.”

Dean of Students Pete Englin said he’s never heard of a case in which a student had manufactured false identification.

“I have no sense of what the significance of the problem is, but of course providing false IDs would greatly concern us,” he said.

Englin said the case hasn’t been forwarded to his office yet, and he is unsure what the penalties for the student would be.

The handgun, however, is “a very serious issue,” he said. The possession of the weapon may lead to a hearing by the university judiciary committee and possible suspension, Englin said.

“I know its a contractual violation of the residence hall terms and conditions,” he said.

“With few exceptions, it leads to removal from the halls.”