Jian Bing Wu, Marriage Fraud, Guam 2013

Jian Bing Wu, a Guamanian Man, Found Guilty of Marriage Fraud in Federal Court

A federal jury in Guam has returned a guilty verdict against Jian Bing Wu, a 42-year-old Guamanian man, in a marriage fraud case. The charges stem from his fraudulent marriage to Lynda Kathryn Laracuente for an immigration benefit.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero and First Assistant United States Attorney Stephen P. Sinnott. The jury found Wu guilty of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and marriage fraud, based on his fraudulent marriage to Laracuente.

The guilty verdict is the result of a six-day jury trial in front of Chief Judge Francis Tydingco-Gatewood. The jury found Wu guilty of Count One, Conspiracy to Commit Marriage Fraud, in violation of 18, United States Code, Section 371, and Count Two, Marriage Fraud, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1325(c).

Wu faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 22, 2013.

“Our immigration laws allow aliens who enter into legitimate marriages with U.S. citizens to gain the right to stay in the United States as permanent resident legal aliens. But aliens who engage in sham marriages to gain legal status in this country, and anyone who helps them to do so, undermine the integrity of that system and commit a fraud against the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Alicia A.G. Limtiaco in a statement.

Three co-defendants in related cases pleaded guilty previously and are awaiting sentencing. Defendant Bradley Jiblits entered his guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Marriage Fraud on November 28, 2012. Lynda Kathryn Laracuente pleaded guilty to Marriage Fraud on November 4, 2011, and Yingzi Zhang pleaded guilty to Aiding and Abetting False Statements on May 3, 2013.

The case is a reminder of the importance of enforcing immigration laws and preventing marriage fraud schemes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute such cases to protect the integrity of the immigration system.

Defendant: Jian Bing Wu

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Marriage Fraud and Marriage Fraud

City and State: Hagåtña, Guam

Exact Date: August 22, 2012 (indictment date)

Sentence or Outcome: Guilty verdict, faces 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine

Dollar Amounts: $250,000 (fine)

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-gu/pr/federal-jury-returns-guilty-verdict-marriage-fraud-case