Silver Spring Man Bribed Way to Fake Green Card

GREENBELT, MD – Zhiyang Yang, 60, formerly of Silver Spring, Maryland, is facing federal charges after a grand jury indicted him for bribery of a public official and attempting to secure fraudulent immigration documents. The case, announced today by United States Attorney Robert K. Hur, paints a picture of brazen attempts to buy his way into legal status in the United States despite being illegally present.

According to court documents, Yang wasn’t shy about greasing palms. Between September 27 and October 25, 2019, he allegedly made three separate bribe payments – $100, $200, and $700 – to an immigration official in an attempt to receive more lenient reporting requirements to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This wasn’t a one-time scheme, however. The indictment details a far more substantial payoff.

On February 14, 2020, Yang allegedly handed over $5,000 to an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent, presented as a down payment for an illegal Permanent Resident Card – a fake Green Card meant to show he had legal status. The investigation was a joint effort between ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and HSI Washington, D.C., highlighting the internal vigilance within these agencies.

Yang remains detained while awaiting his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, though a court date hasn’t been set. If convicted on the bribery charge, he’s looking at a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars. However, prosecutors stressed that actual sentences are typically less than the maximum, determined by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

“This indictment sends a clear message: attempting to circumvent our nation’s immigration laws through bribery will be met with the full force of the law,” stated a source close to the investigation, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Wright.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment and criminal complaint are not declarations of guilt. Zhiyang Yang is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments as they unfold.