Rajesh Ramcharan, Marriage/Immigration Fraud, Colorado 2020

Four Defendants Found Guilty in Marriage and Immigration Scheme

Denver, Colorado - In a shocking case of marriage and immigration fraud, four defendants have been found guilty in a nine-day jury trial. Rajesh Ramcharan, 45, Diann Ramcharan, 37, Sergeant Galima Murry, 31, and Pastor Ken Harvell, 60, were convicted of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements regarding that fraud to the government.

According to the facts established at trial, the purpose of the conspiracy was to obtain immigration benefits for Rajesh Ramcharan, Diann Ramcharan, and one of their minor children. The Ramcharans, a married couple, came to the United States from Trinidad & Tobago on visitor visas in 2007 and overstayed their visas, settling in Colorado.

The scheme involved several steps, including a fake marriage between Diann Ramcharan and Sergeant Galima Murry, a US citizen and soldier at Fort Carson, and a subsequent marriage between Rajesh Ramcharan and Angelica Guevara, a US citizen. Pastor Harvell, who signed the marriage certificates, knowingly and voluntarily participated in the conspiracy.

“As the defendants in this case learned, marriage fraud to gain citizenship is a crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “There are lawful ways for individuals to become citizens of the United States. Those who try to circumvent those laws will be held accountable.”

No sentencing date has yet been set for the defendants, who were prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel McIntyre and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Treaster. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID), with assistance from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Rajesh Ramcharan and Diann Ramcharan were also convicted of making false statements to U.S. immigration authorities as part of their attempts to gain lawful immigration status in the United States. Diann Ramcharan and Sergeant Murry entered into their marriage in 2010, and Rajesh Ramcharan entered into a marriage with Angelica Guevara in 2015.

The trial was held before the Honorable David M. Ebel. The defendants were found guilty after approximately three hours of deliberation on January 16, 2020.

The victims in this case were the US government and the US immigration system. The defendants' actions were a blatant attempt to circumvent the law and gain citizenship through fraudulent means.

Rajesh Ramcharan, Diann Ramcharan, Sergeant Galima Murry, and Pastor Ken Harvell will face the consequences of their actions in the coming months. As the defendants learned, marriage fraud to gain citizenship is a crime that will not be tolerated.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/two-immigrants-pastor-and-army-sergeant-convicted-marriageimmigration-scheme