Jamaican labor broker sentenced to 45 months in prison

I.C.E. News Release

February 1, 2010

Jamaican labor broker sentenced to 45 months in prison

NORFOLK, Va. - Clover May Robinson-Gordon, 44, of Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, was sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to 45 months in prison for conspiracy and money laundering in connection with an immigration fraud enterprise. This case was the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting as part of a larger task force.

"Protecting the integrity of the United States immigration system is a key component of our homeland security mission," said John P. Torres, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C. "Today's sentencing demonstrates our commitment to thwarting document and benefit fraud organizations in Washington, D.C. ICE will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt immigration benefit fraud schemes that pose a threat to our national security and public safety."

According to the investigation and trial testimony, Clover May Robinson-Gordon conspired with the Viktar Krus organization in Virginia Beach, Va. in H2B visa fraud, and then internationally laundered the unlawful proceeds.

Viktar Krus and 21 other foreign nationals and U.S. citizens were indicted on January 13, 2009 for immigration-related fraud. Krus, the organizer and leader, was sentenced July 2009 to 87 months in prison after being convicted on conspiracy, visa fraud and tax evasion charges.

This case was investigated by a dedicated task force focused on dismantling the Krus criminal organization. The task force investigating this case included ICE, the IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Office of the Inspector General; the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI's Norfolk Field Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Immigration fraud poses a severe threat to national security and public safety because it creates a vulnerability that may enable terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens to gain entry to and remain in the United States. U.S. ICE uproots the infrastructure of illegal immigration by detecting and deterring immigration fraud.

Individuals and criminal enterprises often use fraudulent documents to obtain drivers' licenses and social security cards. Traffickers and alien smugglers use these documents to facilitate movement into and within the United States and they are also used to shield illegal aliens from detection within our society. Fraudulent documents may be used to obtain financial benefits and entitlements intended for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and to obtain unauthorized employment.

-- 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: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1002/100201norfolk.htm