4 Jacksonville people indicted in marriage and immigration fraud case

By Dan Scanlan
Mon, Jun 29, 2015 @ 6:20 pm


A convoluted series of marriage moves led to the indictment of four Jacksonville residents Monday on marriage and immigration document fraud, lying to a federal agency and conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Named in the indictment are 35-year-old Mark Laurence Barlaan, 64-year-old Winnie Rabaya Barlaan, 32-year-old Mary Helen Amaba Barlaan and 62-year-old Peter Laforteza Barlaan, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Mary Baarlan also was charged with fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship.


If convicted on all counts, each faces a maximum penalty of 15 to 25 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.


According to the indictment, all four were born in the Philippines, then Winnie and Peter Barlaan became naturalized U.S. citizens. Mary Barlaan entered the United States with a temporary visitor’s visa in November 2007, followed by Mark Barlaan in December 2008 with a temporary work visa.


Mark Barlaan is Peter Barlaan’s son and was in a romantic relationship with Mary Barlaan before he came to the United States, the indictment states. That relationship continued after they came here.


The day after Peter Barlaan became a U.S. citizen in 2009, he married Mary Barlaan, his son’s girlfriend, the indictment states. On Oct. 25, 2011, Mark and Winnie Barlaan were married. The indictment states that Mark and Mary Barlaan’s separate marriages were done to fraudulently obtain legal permanent residence and citizenship. The indictment further states that Peter Barlaan paid Winnie Barlaan several thousand dollars in exchange for her marrying Mark Barlaan and cooperating in the immigration proceedings.


Under U.S. immigration law, aliens married to U.S. citizens get priority for immigration benefits. Mark and Mary Barlaan sought to get these benefits without meeting requirements applicable to people who are not married to U.S. citizens, the indictment states. The indictment goes on to state that the Barlaans made false statements on documents submitted to immigration authorities in an attempt to conceal marriage fraud.


Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549

http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2...ion-fraud-case