A routine traffic stop lead to the arrest of three Eastern students this weekend and a the discovery of numerous fraudulent IDs.

The students now face possible suspension of their Illinois driver’s licenses after being arrested for possession of the fraudulent IDs.

Tyson Heisner, a 20-year-old undecided major; Thomas Thompson, a 20-year-old management major; and Matthew Lodding, a 20-year-old management major, all face charges of possession of a fraudulent ID. Two people, John Clause, a 20-year-old University of Illinois student and Heather Kovach, age and residence unknown, also face charges of possession fraudulent IDs.

Investigator Colleen VanDundy, of the Illinois Secretary of State Police, uncovered a rash of fake IDs during a traffic stop Feb. 24, said Sgt. Bob Wingo, of the Secretary of State Police.

Wingo said three occupants of the car, Heisner, Claus and Thompson, were found to have open alcohol containers in the stopped vehicles.

“All three had fake identification on their person or in the vehicle,” Wingo said. “Fake IDs were linked to all three, and all three admitted to having them on the traffic stop.”

VanDundy asked Thompson if he had any other fraudulent IDs and he turned over another ID, Wingo said.

He said upon search of the vehicle, a wallet was found stuffed between the seats. Thompson claimed the wallet belonged to him.

The wallet contained a fraudulent New Jersey driver’s license belonging to Lodding. Lodding was not in the car during the traffic stop.

On Thursday, the Secretary of State Police and the Coles County assistant state’s attorney went to Pi Kappa Alpha House to issue an arrest warrant for Thompson, Wingo said.

Wingo said several computer-related items were seized from the room.

Police officials also delivered an arrest warrant to Lodding, who also lives at the Pi Kappa Alpha house. While serving the warrant, Lodding surrendered additional New Jersey driver’s licenses, Wingo said.

Police officials checked the picture on Lodding’s Panther Card, and it matched the picture on the New Jersey licenses.

Another student in Lodding’s room was placed under arrest.

Kovach admitted to police that she had two fraudulent IDs and was placed under arrest, Wingo said.

Friday, Secretary of State Police officials and the Coles County assistant state’s attorney made another trip to campus to issue an arrest warrant to Heisner, of Taylor Hall, Wingo said.

“From the arrest warrant, they went into the room to arrest the student. They observed a large quantity of open alcohol,” Wingo said.

The open alcohol was seized from Heisner’s room, he said.

Along with the seized material, police officials located other evidence.

“He also produced two more manufactured Illinois ID cards with fraudulent information,” he said. “An addition fraudulent ID card was located (upon search of the room).

“Four students on campus were arrested,” Wingo said. “All admitted they used the licenses and IDs, so they could enter the bars off campus.”

Wingo said Kovach admitted to police that Lodding assisted her in obtaining the New Jersey IDs.

Wingo said looking at the criminal allegations, the four students arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“Basically for manufacturing, they’re facing revocation of their Illinois driver’s licenses,” Wingo said. “For possession, they’re facing suspension of their Illinois driver’s licenses.”

Wingo said the four students will be given the right to a hearing with the Secretary of States’ office before their licenses are suspended or revoked.

Heisner posted $250 bond, Loddins posted $550 bond and Thompson posted $200 for their release from the Coles County Jail.

Heisner’s court date is set for 9 a.m. April 18, Thompson’s is set for 9 a.m. March 12 and Lodding’s is slated for 9 a.m. March 12.