Cedar Park Man Sold Fake Work Visas

KEYE-TV
February 28, 2012

A Cedar Park man received a three year prison sentence for arranging fraudulent visas for foreign nationals and illegal immigrants.

Jose Ramiro Vicharelly, 55, pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and conspiracy to encourage aliens to illegally enter and reside in the United States.

According to court records, Vicharelly and four others approached several Austin businesses and offered to obtain work visas for foreign nationals to come and work for their companies or for illegal aliens already working in their companies.

Often the business owners did not know the group would then submit fraudulent visa petitions with forged signatures or bogus supporting documentation requesting significantly more foreign workers than required or requested by employers.

The defendants would sell excess slots on visa petitions to other illegal immigrants in the Austin area for between $1,500 and $2,200.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said members of the group also traveled to Mexico to help immigrants prepare and submit immigration forms, coach them as to what to say when interviewed by U.S. Consulate officials.

Vicharelly’s wife, Irma Lopez Vicharelly; his daughter, Angela Paola Faulk; Faulk’s husband, Servando Gonzalez, Jr.; and Pedro Saul Ocampo Munguia all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

Saul Ocampo Munguia failed to appear for sentencing and is now considered a fugitive.

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