LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two Louisville notaries public were arrested Saturday after allegedly attempting to sell dozens of fraudulent Kentucky temporary vehicle tags through Facebook Marketplace, according to police.
The Bancroft Police Department said 30-year-old Joann Smith and 33-year-old DeAngelo Thomas, both of Louisville, were charged with 71 counts of complicity to steal, produce, copy, or illegally acquire temporary tags. The Lyndon Police Department assisted in the arrest.
According to court documents, Smith posted an advertisement in a Facebook Marketplace group showing a photo of a stack of temporary tags and offering them for sale. After an informant expressed interest, Smith identified herself as a Jefferson County notary, police said.
Investigators allege Smith agreed to sell two temporary tags and notarize a Kentucky vehicle license for $100, later telling the informant by phone that she could provide as many tags as needed.
Smith later arrived at the meeting location with Thomas, who was driving. Police say the pair went inside an office where they sold the informant 10 fraudulent Kentucky temporary tags and notarized a Kentucky title for $297.
Court records state Thomas was found in possession of 61 additional fraudulent and copied temporary tags, many stored in a plastic sheet matching those shown in Smith’s Facebook photo.
After being advised of his rights, Thomas told police the tags were “just trash” given to him and claimed it was the first time they had sold any, according to court documents.
Both Smith and Thomas were granted pre-arraignment release Sunday and are scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Thomas, a self-employed notary, also faces additional charges of official misconduct and perjury. Mugshots were not immediately available.
Bancroft Police Chief David Mudd said similar fraudulent tags have been linked to serious crimes in past investigations.
“There are people that are acquiring these tags to mask their identities to go out and commit crimes,” Mudd said. “We’ve had armed robberies committed with cars with temp tags on them, murder.”
Mudd said some fake tags are also used by dealers to place salvaged vehicles—those not legally roadworthy—back on the streets. In many cases, buyers are unaware the tags are fake until they are pulled over, at which point the vehicle may be towed, potentially costing the owner thousands of dollars.
Police said Flock safety cameras have already identified six vehicles in Louisville using the fraudulent tags recovered during the investigation.
The tags were advertised in a Facebook group called “Bag Lady,” which police say has since been deleted. However, Mudd warned that similar groups remain active and continue to advertise illegal items.
“On that Facebook group, not only temp tags but vehicle titles, insurance documents, notes for work, notes for court — they’re all for sale,” Mudd said.
Police emphasized that such items are typically counterfeit or illegally duplicated documents.
“Don’t buy tags online,” Mudd warned. “Get them from a dealership or the county clerk’s office — not from random people on the internet.”
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