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Cambodian Man Gets 6 Months for Marriage Fraud
A Cambodian man has been sentenced to six months in prison for his role in a marriage fraud scheme. Sothy Khiev, 48, was convicted of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud after a four-day bench trial in February 2015.
According to the trial evidence, Khiev paid Chanara Sok $5,000 to fraudulently engage and marry his girlfriend, Sophal Cheng, so that she could legally enter the country. Cheng entered the United States on a fiancé visa and married Sok in Westbrook on September 4, 2007.
To conceal the fraudulent marriage, Khiev orchestrated false affidavits and letters of support, a false utility bill in the names of Cheng and Sok, and used car purchase and insurance documents in the name of Cheng and Sok. He also arranged for a false birth certificate identifying Cheng and Sok as parents.
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Nancy Torresen observed that countries have the right to control immigration and that Khiev’s violation of federal law to adjust Cheng’s status was unfair to other immigrants who have to follow the law.
Khiev will be turned over to immigration authorities for deportation proceedings after serving his sentence. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service.
U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced the sentence, which was handed down in U.S. District Court.
Contact Halsey B. Frank, Assistant United States Attorney, at (207) 780-3257 for more information.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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