4 Arrested In 'Citizenship For Sale' Immigration Scheme
Illegal Immigrants Sold Citizenship Into American Indian Tribes, Officials Say

POSTED: 6:01 pm EDT August 29, 2008
UPDATED: 6:38 pm EDT August 29, 2008


TAMARAC, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Justice charged and arrested four people in connection with the sale of fraudulent Native American Indian documents to illegal immigrants. Officials said early Friday morning they arrested Audie Watson, 75, Nancy Vertus, 40, Anibal Reyes, 38, and his wife Laura Reyes, 38 with conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, including s mail fraud and the sale of fraudulent immigration document. Police said the group were part of a scheme to sell fraudulent documents through Universal Service Dedicated to God, Inc., a company located in Tamarac, Fla.

Officials said illegal immigrants are being sold citizenship into the obscure American Indian tribe -- falsely told it would allow them to legally work and live in the U.S.

An NBC 6 investigation in 2006 exposed Watson's busy nationwide operation, selling to hundreds of illegal immigrants. Officials said since August 2005 the group conspired to charge aliens who were not eligible for United States citizenship, $1,500 per immigrant $2,000 per couple, to make the immigrants members of the Pembina Nation Little Shell Tribe.

Officials said the fees were collected and documents were issued to allow the immigrants to reside and work in the United States so that they would avoid being deported.

The federal government said anyone who buys such identification was ripped off.

Federal agents said Anibal and Laura Reyes were arraigned and released on bond. But Watson and Vertus are scheduled for detention hearings and arraignment on Wednesday.

If convicted, the men and women charged could face maximum penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy to commit mail and immigration fraud charge; and up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for the mail fraud charge; and up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the false immigration document charge, officials said.


http://www.nbc6.net/news/17339317/detail.html