Jodian Stephenson, Immigration Marriage Fraud, Connecticut 2023

Two Connecticut residents have been charged with operating an extensive immigration marriage fraud scheme, authorities announced Monday.

Jodian Stephenson, 34, of Bridgeport, and Donovan Lawrence, 62, of Milford, were arrested today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport. They were released on bonds in the amount of $350,000 and $100,000, respectively.

As alleged in the indictment, Stephenson has operated Stephenson Immigration and Legal Services, LLC, in Bridgeport, and Lawrence has operated Donovans Accounting Services, LLC, in Bridgeport. Between approximately July 2012 and July 2017, Stephenson, Lawrence and others conspired to arrange sham marriages between U.S. citizens and non-citizens residing in the U.S. for the purpose of the non-citizens’ applying for and obtaining “lawful permanent residence” status, also known as a “green card.”

The indictment identifies nine false marriages that resulted in the filing of fraudulent green card applications. During the investigation, it is alleged that Stephenson offered to arrange a sham marriage for a federal law enforcement agent working in an undercover capacity, and help obtain a green card for the undercover agent, in exchange for a proposed fee of $20,000. Stephenson then introduced the undercover agent to a U.S. citizen, advised them about the ways they could create the appearance that they were validly married and living together as husband and wife, and helped the undercover agent obtain a marriage license in exchange for a cash payment of $5,000 from the undercover agent.

The indictment charges Stephenson and Lawrence with one count of conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud and make false statements, and six counts of making false statements. These charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on each count. The indictment also charges Stephenson with seven counts of immigration documents fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

“An indictment is not evidence of guilt,” U.S. Attorney Durham said. “Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

The exact criminal charges against Jodian Stephenson and Donovan Lawrence are:

Conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud and make false statements (1 count)

Making false statements (6 counts)

Immigration documents fraud (7 counts)

The city and state where the crime took place is Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The exact date of the crime is approximately between July 2012 and July 2017.

The sentence or outcome for Jodian Stephenson and Donovan Lawrence is currently pending.

The dollar amounts involved in the scheme include a proposed fee of $20,000 and a cash payment of $5,000.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/two-connecticut-residents-charged-operating-extensive-immigration-marriage-fraud-scheme