A suspected member of an Armenian alien smuggling ring made her first appearance in federal court today, charged with participating in an international organization that brought undocumented Armenian nationals into the United States in exchange for thousands of dollars.
Maria Yanakopulus, 57, is the fourth member of this alien smuggling organization arrested by federal agents. On October 30, 2013, Yanakopulus allegedly drove her white Honda Civic with three undocumented Armenian nationals into the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry. She presented to a Customs and Border Protection officer valid I-551 cards bearing the names and photographs of other individuals for the three Armenian nationals, who were then admitted into the United States as imposters to the green cards.
The complaint alleges that Yanakopulus was a member of an international smuggling enterprise whereby Armenian nationals were smuggled from Armenia to the United States by way of Moscow, Russia and Cancun, Mexico. In exchange, Armenian nationals were made to pay up to $18,000 each to be brought into the United States. Once in Mexico, the smuggling organization would transport the Armenian nationals to Tijuana, Mexico, and then procure valid U.S. legal permanent resident or passport cards from within the United States to pass the Armenian nationals as imposters.
Yanakopulus is charged with conspiracy and three counts of bringing in illegal aliens for financial gain, as well as aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, with a mandatory minimum of five years in custody if convicted on all charges.
Yanakopulus made her first appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes, who ordered conditions of release for Yanakopulus, including the posting of a $30,000 cash or corporate surety bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 18, 2014.
Other members of the alleged smuggling organization have been arrested, including Varduhi Avagyan, 42, and Meri Avetisyan, 40, both of Glendale, California, who were arrested on November 1, 2013, and Grigor Chatalyan, who was arrested on June 12, 2014. Chatalyan is charged with coordinating and directing the international alien smuggling organization.
The Homeland Security Investigations agency is leading the investigation into the alleged smuggling ring.
Defendant: Maria Yanakopulus
Charges: Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 371; Bringing in Illegal Aliens for Financial Gain, 8 U.S.C. §1324(a)(2)(B)(ii); Aiding and Abetting Aggravated Identity Theft, 18 U.S.C. § 1028A and 18 U.S.C. § 2
City and State: San Diego, California
Date: October 30, 2013
Sentence or Outcome: Currently awaiting trial
Dollar Amounts: up to $18,000 each for the Armenian nationals
Related Federal Cases
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- Amy Evangelista, Tax Return Fraud, California 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Human Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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