Woman busted for arranging illegal marriages

February 17, 2011

Five northwest Florida residents and two immigrants are being indicted for fraud in a scheme to allow the foreigners to become naturalized citizens by marrying Americans.

The 11-count indictment says from September 2009 until last month, Tina Sun of Panama City arranged at least two fraudulent marriages. Each citizen received $10,000 for marrying the immigrants, and Sun got $3500 from each immigrant for her work.

Sun also allegedly filed fraudulent documents on behalf of the couples with the I.R.S and Immigration services.

Sun conducted the wedding ceremony of Pedro Rodriguez, a citizen of Destin, with Ana Dominquez of the Dominican Republic. She also arranged and carried out the marriage of Chipley resident Amy Lynn Wright to Peruvian Jorge Valdiviezo.

Daymane Rosa and Jessica Pratt are under indictment for helping find marriage participants for Sun. She is also accused of filing fraudulent documents for another, unindicted and un-named couple.

Federal prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of Sun's 21st Street apartment and other assets gained through the scheme.


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