A University of Wisconsin sophomore was arrested early Wednesday morning — two days before his 20th birthday — for making fake California identification cards with intent to sell.
Austin Cannon was arrested at his home on the 400 block of North Carroll Street after the Madison Police and Fire departments responded to reports of a structure fire in his building.
According to an MPD release, Cannon left food on his stove, producing an "extreme amount of smoke" that filled his apartment building. No injuries were reported as a result of the smoke.
Police investigated Cannon's apartment while he was present and, according to the MPD, found Cannon was "making numerous California fake identities to sell."
Following the search, Cannon was placed under arrest and taken to Dane County Jail.
Cannon was released from jail early Thursday afternoon, according to Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer, who was in court with Cannon Thursday.
"On behalf of the district attorney's office, I recommended a signature bond to the court, which means he was able to be released from jail without posting any bail," Verveer said.
Cannon will return to court for his initial appearance April 9, after UW's spring break, Verveer said. He has yet to be formally charged by the district attorney's office.
According to Veerver, cases involving illegally manufacturing fake IDs are relatively rare for Dane County.
"It's highly unusual for anybody to be charged criminally with making fake IDs," Verveer said. "The last forgery case relating to manufacturing fake IDs had nothing to do with college students and the drinking age. It had to do with people interested in selling IDs for people who were in the country illegally."
It is also unknown whether any potential recipients of the fake IDs will face legal trouble. However, Verveer said he would be surprised if any of them were charged in relation to this case.
Since Cannon has not yet been formally charged by the district attorney, it is unclear what punishments he could face as a result of the arrest.
