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Former U.S. Army Soldier Indicted for Marriage Fraud
RALEIGH, N.C. – In a shocking case of deceit, a former U.S. Army soldier has been charged with orchestrating a sham marriage scheme to evade immigration laws and secure a green card for a foreign-born national.
Endasia Mahagony East, a U.S. citizen, allegedly induced a foreign-born national to enter into a fake marriage with her, all for the purpose of obtaining lawful permanent residence status. The indictment, which was unsealed yesterday, reveals a complex web of deceit and corruption that has left investigators stunned.
According to the indictment, East faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, harboring an alien for financial gain, visa fraud, false statements under oath, theft of government property, and criminal contempt. If convicted, she could face up to 5 years in prison for multiple counts, 10 years for other counts, and 15 years for the most serious charge.
The indictment also reveals that East could be fined a maximum of $250,000 per count, in addition to a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) in the Eastern District of North Carolina, led by Homeland Security Investigations.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. An indictment is merely an accusation, and East is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing outrage and disgust at the brazen nature of the crime. As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: those who attempt to subvert the system and profit from false marriages will be held accountable.
The indictment serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of our immigration system and the consequences of those who seek to exploit it.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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