Bacoco Samassekou, Davis duo face Visa Fraud Charges

The grim streets of Parma, Ohio were once again illuminated by justice today as a trio faced serious charges for their alleged misuse of visa permits. United States Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach announced that Hamadoun Bacoco Samassekou, age 29, Melissa A. Davis, age 23, and Chella A. Davis, age 21, all from Cleveland, Ohio, were indicted by a grand jury.

Samassekou and Davis are charged with three counts of Fraud and Misuse of Visa Permits each, while Chella A. Davis is accused of making false statements to federal officers, one count of False Statements. The indictment claims the trio falsified documents and identities, with Samassekou and Melissa Davis impersonating a marriage in an I-130 Petition for Relative Alien and lying about Samassekou’s immigration status during interviews.

Samassekou is also charged with misrepresenting his I-485 Application by denying any crimes of moral turpitude or drug offenses. Chella A. Davis’ lie about her marriage to Samassekou added to the list of deceptions.

Defendants face sentences determined by unique case factors, including their roles and previous records, with limits set by the statutory maximums. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Tripi and Trial Attorney Richard T. Hamilton, Jr., are leading the prosecution following an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The grimy tale of visa misuse is a stark reminder that immigration fraud remains a serious crime in Ohio. As it stands, these defendants are innocent until proven guilty, and the government will have to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.