(CMR) A Jamaican woman who arranged 28 bogus marriages over six years in a scheme to obtain green cards for herself and other non-American citizens was sentenced to six months in prison in the United States last week.
According to court documents and witness statements, between 2011 and 2017, Jodian Stephenson (37), also known as ‘Jodian Gordon,' conspired with others to arrange the 28 bogus marriages. Non-citizens were typically charged between US$17,000 and US$20,000.
American citizens were reportedly paid between US$2,000 and US$4,000 for their participation in the scheme.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for District of Connecticut, Stephenson of Bridgeport, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud on August 19, 2019.
Following her sentencing hearing, she was released on a US$250,000 bond and is required to report to prison on October 25.
Deportation proceedings have been, or are being, commenced against Stephenson and all individuals whose green card applications were found to have been based on the bogus marriages, the US Attorney's Office said.
Stephenson reportedly introduced citizens to their spouses and made the necessary arrangements for the marriages.
The US Attorney's Office said, “She also organized the marriage ceremony and celebration, and coached the couple on how to make their marriage appear to be genuine, despite their neither living together nor otherwise intending to remain actually married.”
She is also accused of preparing several fraudulent documents to be sent to the immigration department as part of the non-citizen's green card application.
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