Visa permits are a vital part of the immigration system, but for one Ohio trio, they became a tool for deception and manipulation. A grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio has returned a four-count indictment against Hamadoun Bacoco Samassekou, 29, of Parma, Ohio, and two counts against Melissa A. Davis, 23, of Cleveland, Ohio, charging them with visa permit misuse and fraud.
According to the indictment, Samassekou and Davis knowingly made false statements regarding an I-130 Petition for Relative Alien, falsely impersonating and representing that Davis was Samassekou’s wife. The indictment further alleges that they made false statements under oath during an interview regarding Samassekou’s immigration status, again falsely personating and representing that Davis was his wife.
The indictment also charges Samassekou with making false statements or representations regarding his I-485 Application, answering “No” to a question about whether he knowingly committed any crime of moral turpitude or drug offense. Meanwhile, Chella A. Davis, 21, of Cleveland, Ohio, was charged with making a material false statement to immigration officers, stating that she was never married to Samassekou when in truth and fact she was.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Tripi and Trial Attorney Richard T. Hamilton, Jr., following an investigation by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
The indictment serves as a reminder that visa permits are not a ticket to deception. If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
The case is a stark reminder that immigration fraud will not be tolerated. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The outcome of this case will depend on the evidence presented in court.
The Northern District of Ohio has taken a strong stance against immigration fraud, and this indictment is a testament to their commitment to upholding the law. As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the consequences of visa permit misuse and fraud are severe and far-reaching.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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