Robert Machlan, 46, and Becky L. Justus, 50, have been arrested on more than 600 counts each of identity theft.

On Feb. 2, the Nye County Sheriff's Office SCORPION narcotics task force discovered what Det. Treavor Meade called "the biggest identity theft laboratory that I have ever seen or heard about in Nye County."

Officers initially traveled to Amargosa Valley to investigate a possible murder-for-hire involving Robert Machlan, who was slated to go to trial on 47 counts of identity theft, fraud and burglary.

"We began to hear that Machlan was soliciting individuals to murder one of the persons slated to testify against him in that trial," said Meade.

The trail lead to Nevada Joe's Trailer Park in Amargosa Valley, to the home of Machlan's girlfriend, Justus, who, according to Meade, was also believed to be involved in the plot to have the witness murdered.

Justus was also wanted on numerous felony warrants for drug sales and identity theft.

"She was also on the run from Nevada Parole and Probation," said Meade.

When Justus answered her door, she was taken into custody on the outstanding warrants. She allowed deputies to enter her home where they discovered the extensive identity theft lab.

Machlan was also arrested that day for warrants related to drug sales, identity theft and parole violations. It is expected both Machlan and Justus will accrue more charges.

"The laboratory was well equipped," Meade said. "We discovered almost 1,000 documents for over 600 victims and potential victims."

Among the information discovered by the officers were Social Security and employer identification numbers, military identification, fraudulent tax returns and W-2 forms as well as fake Nevada and Arizona driver's licenses and the equipment to make such licenses. There were also checks in the names of numerous victims and companies.

The task force discovered evidence from victims in California and Arizona as well as Pennsylvania and an overwhelming number of items from Southern Nevada.

"That's 500 to 600 people that don't have to sweat these two," Meade said.