Two people face felony charges of helping people to cheat on state licensing exams. The two were arrested following an investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division (DCA) of Investigation.
Larry Charles Holmes, Jr. and Persilla Marie Ulloa of ACEAPP Training, were arrested in January in Southern California after investigators determined the two illegally obtained exam material for 12 different state-administered exams.
The investigation began at the request of the Structural Pest Control Board, whose staff noticed certain irregularities. The investigation then expanded to other state licensing entities, including the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Industrial Relations and the California Secretary of State.
“Obtaining a license from the State of California by cheating on an exam puts consumers at risk,” said Alan Barcelona, president of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA). “Very few Californians see the work that DCA investigators do on a daily basis to protect us as we shop or pay for services. Arresting people suspected of facilitating cheating on state licensing exams is an example of that protection.”
Both Holmes and Ulloa face 24 felony charges in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Both are free on $240,000 bail. Holmes was arraigned on February 11th and Ulloa on February 14th.