Mario Alberto Sanchez Torres, 28, of Auburn, Washington, has pleaded guilty to second-degree identity theft, DUI, and obstructing a law enforcement officer after using a false identity when arrested for driving under the influence last July.
False Identity Uncovered
Sanchez Torres was stopped by the Washington State Patrol in Kittitas County on July 12, 2024, for suspected DUI. During the arrest, he provided a false name, leading to his booking and release under another person’s identity.
The deception was discovered when the real person contacted police, stating they had never been involved in a DUI incident. Authorities compared the driver’s license photo with the booking records, finding a mismatch. Fingerprint analysis confirmed the suspect’s true identity.
Sentencing & Plea Agreement
Sanchez Torres was arrested again in December 2024 and has remained in Kittitas County Jail on $60,000 bail.
On March 14, 2025, he pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal that resulted in the obstruction charge being dropped.
Judge Chris Herion sentenced Sanchez Torres to:
79 days in jail (credit for time served)
150 days for the DUI offense
$3,438 in court fees and fines
Additional costs to the State Patrol
Defense attorney Marjorie Alumbaugh requested that Sanchez Torres serve his remaining sentence on electronic home monitoring, arguing that he accepts responsibility and wants to pursue sobriety and treatment.
While the judge acknowledged that the conviction was a serious mark on Sanchez Torres’ record, he encouraged him to move forward and make better choices.
