Jennifer Gonzalez charged in Fall River marriage fraud ring
Jennifer Gonzalez of Fall River appeared in federal court Wednesday facing charges tied to a marriage scheme. Prosecutors claim the decade-long enterprise helped immigrants gain legal status. It netted millions of dollars.
Wedding rings were exchanged during the ceremonies. Photos showed smiling brides and well-dressed grooms. Federal authorities said the events looked legitimate.
Prosecutors charged six people in Massachusetts. Gonzalez, 43, is the alleged ringleader. Investigators said the group conducted as many as 20 ceremonies.
Gonzalez allegedly paid five other people to participate. Several took part in multiple ceremonies. Immigrants paid between $38,000 and $40,000 each.
All six defendants face charges. These include harboring illegal aliens and conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. They also face marriage fraud and conspiracy counts.
“What an affront the alleged conduct revealed here today must be to those who play by the rules,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley told reporters. “To see a for-profit business whose sole purpose is helping people cheat and skip the line by simply paying for it must be so offensive and disheartening to those who follow our country’s laws.”
Federal agents arrested five defendants Wednesday morning. The sixth defendant is in state prison. That person is serving a sentence for a firearms crime.
Gonzalez is an American citizen. Foley said Gonzalez bought businesses and real estate in the Dominican Republic. Foley stated Gonzalez used profits from the operation.
An attorney for Gonzalez could not be reached. The Trump administration has increased immigration restrictions. It reduced avenues to enter the country.
A similar scheme brought charges against 11 people in August. That operation helped hundreds of Chinese nationals seek green cards. American citizens received up to $30,000.
Three years ago, federal authorities prosecuted a case in Massachusetts. Marcialito Biol Benitez pleaded guilty in that case. He was a 49-year-old Philippine national living in Los Angeles.
Benitez admitted operating a fraud agency. He arranged marriages between foreign nationals and citizens. He pleaded guilty to document fraud and conspiracy.
The current Fall River investigation remains ongoing. Court documents state some defendants lied on SNAP benefit applications. They allegedly claimed they had never married.
Gonzalez is accused of spending $120,000 in SNAP benefits. Prosecutors also accused defendants of housing and unemployment fraud. None of the participating immigrants face charges.
“Marriage fraud undermines the processes that ensure honest, lawful individuals can marry United States citizens and enjoy everything the United States has to offer to them,” John Soares told reporters. Soares serves as assistant special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
“Fraudsters, like the individuals arrested today, make that process more difficult,” Soares said.
Federal prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury to secure formal criminal indictments. Homeland Security Investigations examines immigration document violations and border crimes. Arraignments follow initial arrests in the federal court system.
The six defendants from Massachusetts remain under federal indictment. Proceedings will continue in federal district court.
