Indranis Rocheford, Immigration Services Scam, Massachusetts 2017

BOSTON – In a shocking revelation, two Rhode Island sisters have been handed down significant prison sentences for their roles in an immigration services scam that duped undocumented immigrants out of over $700,000.

Indranis Rocheford, 28, a dual national of the Dominican Republic and St. Kitts living in Woonsocket, RI, and Alba Peña, 26, of Woonsocket, RI, were sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 33 months and 35 months in prison, respectively.

As part of their scheme, Peña and Rocheford, along with their mother, Patria Zuniga, preyed on undocumented immigrants seeking to legalize their status. The trio told victims that Zuniga was either a lawyer or employee of U.S. immigration authorities who could help them become lawful permanent residents.

The victims were charged between $8,000 and $14,000 for Zuniga’s services. However, after the initial payments, Zuniga extorted thousands of dollars more by threatening to have them deported if they refused to pay.

Peña and Rocheford recruited clients, assisted in sales pitch presentations, prepared fake immigration paperwork, and took receipt of victim payments, which were initially made in cash and later accepted via bank account deposits, money orders, and wire transfers.

In total, victims paid Peña, Rocheford, and Zuniga more than $700,000 for fraudulent immigration services. In June 2016, Zuniga was sentenced to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $713,850 after she pleaded guilty for her role in the scheme.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordi de Llano and John Capin of Weinreb’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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