In a case that has shaken the Dominican Republic’s justice system, a court has sentenced nine people — including a former prosecutor, ex-police officers, and government employees — to between six and ten years in prison for orchestrating a scheme to erase the criminal records of more than 8,000 individuals, among them convicted rapists, hitmen, and drug traffickers.

Authorities say the operation, which began in 2017, relied on altering ID numbers so offenders’ histories would vanish from the system. This allowed people awaiting trial or serving time to bypass background checks, gain employment, secure bank loans, and even avoid harsher sentences.

Judge Keyla Pérez Santana revealed that the suspects had established a well-organized network, even using a tech company to advertise services, post prices, and manage payments. The scandal came to light during Operation Hawk in August 2023, when investigators dismantled the network.

The nine convicted — including former prosecutor Luis Peña Cedeño, who received a 10-year sentence — had pleaded guilty. Charges against three other defendants were dismissed. In total, prosecutors accused 12 people of bribery, money laundering, weapons violations, and even terror financing.

The case underscores not only the scope of corruption but also its dangerous implications: erasing criminal histories allowed dangerous offenders to slip through the cracks, undermining both public safety and faith in the legal system.