Thread: 11 indicted in Ohio marriage fraud scheme

I.C.E. News Release

December 8, 2009

11 indicted in Ohio marriage fraud scheme

Individuals entered into sham marriages to gain citizenship

COLUMBUS, Ohio - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and local officers in the metro-Columbus area arrested nine people charged with participating in a central Ohio based scheme to arrange sham marriages in order to evade U.S. immigration laws. Two additional arrests were made in New Orleans and Philadelphia. Two defendants remain at large. All 11 people were named Dec. 8 in federal indictments unsealed in federal district court.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Brian Moskowitz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Investigations in Ohio and Michigan, announced the arrests.

"ICE will not tolerate those who engage in sham marriages to circumvent and exploit our nation's immigration system," said Moskowitz. "Marriage fraud poses a significant vulnerability that must not go unchallenged. ICE aggressively investigates those who take illegal shortcuts to citizenship, whether they do so to gain an immigration benefit or simply for personal profit."

The indictment alleges that Columbus-area residents Hasan Salohutdinov, Dimitry Pani, Sviatlana A. Piskunova and Laura Elizabeth Grace Scott recruited U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, primarily Eastern Europeans, to enter into sham marriages to evade immigration laws, starting in January 2007. The foreign nationals paid about $17,000 to marry U.S. citizens. The foreign nationals were allegedly promised legal residency in return for marrying citizens and the citizens were promised monetary compensation.

The indictment also alleges that defendants would counsel sham wedding partners regarding actions to take in order to lend the appearance of being a legitimate marriage, and assist non-citizens in preparing fraudulent documents to present to immigration officials.

"The indictment alleges that the defendants took part in a scheme to arrange marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals," Stewart said. "The grand jury alleges that motivation for the Americans who entered into these marriages was money. The motivation for the ones they married was American citizenship."

Each count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and marriage fraud is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Foreign nationals also face deportation after any prison time served. A list of those charged is below:

Charged foreign nationals Name City Status
Hasan Salohutdinov
Columbus
In custody

Dmitri Pani
Columbus
In custody

Sviatlana Piskunova
Columbus
In custody

Laura Scott
Columbus
In custody

Courtnie Good
Columbus
In custody

Sobithon Mirzaev
New Orleans
In custody

Elbek Saidjanov
Philadelphia
In custody

Iskander Tairov
Columbus
In custody

Brent Woods
Columbus
In custody

LaDawna Tackett
Columbus
At large

Djafar Sobirov
Columbus
At large


Stewart commended the investigation by ICE agents, and the assistance of the ICE Office of Detention and Removal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Columbus Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Reynoldsburg Police Department.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE comprises four integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0912/091208columbus.htm

I've read that Russian papers here in NYC advertise "Arranged Marriages" but little is done to stop it. One article I read went so far as to admit the "couple" would actually live as man and wife (all benefits included for the American male) until the time the immigrant gained citizenship. They proudly stated some even stay together after that.

Added to Homepage with slightly amended title:
http://www.alipac.us/article-4758--0-0.html

Now what about the other 1.1 million fake marriages?

These illegals constantly astound me, in there ways of breaking are laws!
Deport and Jail