Honolulu woman admits to marriage scam
The case involves a Chinese man who wanted to immigrate
A Honolulu woman has admitted she was paid between $5,000 and $6,000 to enter into a sham marriage with a Chinese citizen to enable the groom to come to the United States illegally.
Melinda Tran, 28, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to conspiring with her mother, Lee Tran, and others between November 2002 and March 2003 to violate immigration laws and bring illegal immigrants into the United States.
"I agreed to get paid to marry an alien to come to the United States," she said when queried by U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi.
In a deal with the government, Tran has agreed to testify and assist the government in its case against others charged in the conspiracy.
Defense attorney Russ Barbee said afterward that Tran "is accepting responsibility for her role in being recruited by the leader and organizer, Phillip Lam."
Tran had told the court earlier that she agreed to do what her mother and Lam had asked her to do.
Lam is the alias of Andy Cuong Nguyen, who was indicted June 15 along with three American men who allegedly went to China and married Chinese citizens.
Nguyen and the three Americans -- Charles Farfan, Peter Matthews and Curtis McLean Jr. -- were charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling. They all are awaiting trial. McLean has yet to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court.
Tran, a student, faces a maximum of five years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine when sentenced. Her mother is expected to also change her not-guilty plea this week.