Shai Cohen, Human Smuggling and Money Laundering, Virginia 2023

Alexandria, Virginia – In a shocking case of human smuggling and money laundering, Shai Cohen, a 39-year-old Israeli national, has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to facilitate the illegal entry, harboring, and transporting of noncitizens in the United States for employment.

According to court documents, Cohen organized and worked with others to recruit and facilitate the illegal entry of Israeli citizens into the United States under false pretenses. From approximately 2011 through December 2013, Cohen and his co-conspirators assisted noncitizens in fraudulently obtaining B-1/B-2 tourist/visitor visas by misrepresenting the true purpose of their travel to the United States, which was illegal employment.

Cohen and his co-conspirators then assisted the noncitizens in traveling to the United States. Upon arrival, the noncitizens were employed at various kiosks owned and operated by Cohen and his co-conspirators at malls in Virginia and Maryland, despite entering the United States in a visa status that did not allow them to work.

The noncitizens who engaged in illegal employment were primarily compensated for their work by under-the-table cash payments or the transfer of money to stored value payment cards, rather than through a legitimate payroll system. Cohen also provided the noncitizens housing and transportation to and from work in the United States.

The conspiracy involved the smuggling, transporting, or harboring of at least 25 unlawful foreign nationals. Cohen and his co-conspirators also made foreign and domestic financial transactions in furtherance of and to promote the criminal scheme.

Cohen pleaded guilty on November 7, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and one count of conspiracy to launder money. Cohen was arrested in Israel pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition. In August 2023, he was extradited to the Eastern District of Virginia.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Shai Cohen
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and conspiracy to launder money
City and State: Alexandria, Virginia
Date: November 7, 2023 (plea), August 2023 (extradition)
Sentence: Two years in prison

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