Immigrant faces sentencing in marriage fraud

Jamaican convicted of sham marriage with Fort Riley soldier
Posted: December 3, 2012 - 6:33am
By The Associated Press

WICHITA — A Jamaican woman faces sentencing for entering into a sham marriage with a Fort Riley soldier to get legal immigration status.

Shannakay Hunter now lives in New York City. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot gave her permission to participate by phone in her sentencing Monday, rather than traveling to Wichita for the proceeding.

Hunter was convicted in August of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud and lying to the government. She faces up to five years on each count but is likely to get far less prison time — if any — under federal guidelines.

The man she married, former Army private Joshua Priest, was sentenced in the case to 10 months for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and wire fraud. He testified against his wife at her trial.