NORFOLK
Federal authorities have combed through eight states since early Wednesday morning, arresting suspects in a sweeping investigation into fraudulent marriages between Navy sailors and illegal immigrants.
Three indictments unsealed Wednesday afternoon charge 33 people - current and former sailors and their brides. Thirteen defendants appeared in U.S. District Court as federal agents searched seven other states for the remaining suspects.
"Each of you is charged with a serious offense," U.S. Magistrate James E. Bradberry told five of the women standing before him.
"This is not something you can afford to take lightly, because your freedom will be at stake," he said.
Federal authorities have been targeting bogus marriages and Navy housing fraud for at least two years, having already arrested at least 40 other individuals here and in New York.
This is the largest one-time sweep, and Navy officials said they hope this puts an end to the practice. More than 73 people have been arrested so far, with dozens convicted, jailed or deported.
"There are specific approved procedures to obtain citizenship in our country. Cheating is not one of them," U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement scheduled to be released this morning and obtained by The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday.
The arrangement benefits both bride and groom. The brides, here illegally, get the fast track to green cards and, possibly, citizenship. The sailors get an increase in their housing allowances, plus payments ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 from their brides.
Authorities say they also have national-security concerns: The illegal immigrant could be seeking to cause harm. With the dozens of brides arrested so far, no such threat has been uncovered.
Word of the scheme spread through Norfolk Naval Station over the past several years. Sailors learned they could take home thousands more a year in housing allowances if they married, according to court papers. The Navy said the scheme has cost taxpayers more than $225,000.
Samuel G. Worth, special agent in charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service's Norfolk office, said he believes such marriage and housing scams actually cost taxpayers millions each year.
"The message from these arrests should be quite clear - any Navy personnel who engage in this kind of criminal activity will be pursued and held accountable," Worth said in the statement.
Most of the brides are from Eastern Europe and came here on short-term student or visitor visas. The court papers say the marriages were never consummated.
Many of the women have ties to each other, according to the court records.
When Valeriya Tsymbal, a Ukrainian national, was arrested last October on marriage fraud charges, three friends showed up in court to support her. Those three have since been indicted on their own marriage fraud charges. Two of the friends, Tatsiana V. Smuraha, 22, and Nataliya V. Chorna, 24, were arrested Wednesday in the latest case. The third was arrested in January.
Besides charges of marriage fraud and filing phony immigration papers, Smuraha was charged with witness tampering and obstruction of justice for trying to get Tsymbal's husband to testify at her trial that their marriage was legitimate, according to the indictment. Tsymbal ended up pleading guilty and was sentenced to four months in prison.
Smuraha also is accused of trying to cover up the alleged crime.
After learning of the investigation through Tsymbal, Smuraha asked her husband, Samuel J. Strasbaugh, to move in with her to make their marriage look legitimate in case the authorities came knocking, according to the indictment. Strasbaugh allegedly agreed, with the condition that his girlfriend move in as well. Strasbaugh is stationed on the amphibious assault ship Wasp.
He and seven other current and former sailors also were arrested Wednesday, though some turned themselves in, and appeared before Bradberry. Other sailors in the case are stationed aboard the Iwo Jima, another amphibious assault ship.
In all, 16 women were charged in the indictment.
Citing their questionable immigration status, Bradberry ordered the five women detained pending bond hearings on Monday. All of the men were released except one, who has a criminal record.
Other arrests were being made in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and California. Authorities said some of the suspects fled Hampton Roads upon learning they were targets of the investigation.
An attorney for one of the sailors declined to comment after Wednesday's proceedings. Most of the others did not yet have counsel.
One attorney representing a defendant in a related marriage fraud case questioned the government's methods in tackling the problem.
Evgenia A. Popravka of Ukraine, who previously had been indicted, was arraigned earlier in the day Wednesday on charges of entering into a bogus marriage with Mark. T. Vanhorn in 2005.
Vanhorn was slain outside a nightclub near Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach in January 2007. He was an innocent bystander in a gunbattle.
Stephen P. Patrizio, a Philadelphia attorney representing Popravka, said he doesn't understand all the effort being put into jailing illegal immigrants in marriage fraud cases when they will end up being deported anyway.
"I think there's a whole lot of other things that need more attention," he said.
He said his client plans to fight the charges.
Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
marrage fraud
While this case is being brought to light, some may forget that this type of thing has been going on since there has been a Navy. If you look at historical accounts, you will hear and read in those accounts that as long as our sailors have been hitting forgin ports, there have been women who know that they can be their ticket to a better life in the U,S. Is it right or wrong?, i wont get into the whole debate about getting a little more money when you are a junior enlisted man, but will offer this. I think bthat in a good way the post 9/11 era has made us more aware, that we need to take better care of the men and women who prodly sreve us in the Navy..
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody who knows IRINA KUZIMINOVA please help to bond her out of jail so she can fight her case!! I do not have enough $$$ to do that. I am very sad for everything that is going on. Let's establish Russian/Ukr/Belarussian community and fight for our rights like African Americans and Mexicans did. Nobody kicks out Spanish population - they give them benefits instead! Because they were fighting for their rights! Americans do not know that all the girls on the list were working three jobs and PAYING TAXES SO AMERICAN CITIZENS COULD GET BENEFITS! If nobody will work in this country and just live off benefits - what will happen? I am Russian. I have paid thousands and thousands of taxes. I have not received ANY benefits, so I was never a burden to American taxpayers. I have paid over $20,000 to ODU, i.e. State school. I am starting medical school in August - and I cannot get any scholarships, althoug I have a green card and good grades...
We should help each other.Irina lost her brother half of the year ago. She has a master degree in journalism. She is very smart and intelligent. She is very good person. This country is so great because of the immigrants who built it. If anyone
Witch hunt must stop
Pointing the finger for the country's problems at the illegal community and trying to eliminate it makes as much sense as pointing the finger at the rest of America, and trying to eliminate it. Less, in fact, because there’s a higher percentage of good, hardworking “illegal” immigrants than there are Americans. And when they get a status here, they outshine everyone. I know this from having met lots of these people, and simply by a quick glance at the history of this very country, which was BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP by illegal immigrants. Except they also murdered the original inhabitants…
This country has some problems, but I wish people would stop using the entire illegal immigrant community as a scapegoat. I also understand that people want to see SOMETHING done, productive or not, but this witch hunt on immigrants is not helping anyone, especially us Americans.
"There are specific approved procedures"?????
I am from Eastern Europe myself. I came to the USA on a J-1 visa, fell in love with a Russian guy (he had American citizenship), and we got married. It was a TRUE MARRIAGE, but the guy turned out to have a bad temper. He was abusing me physically and verbally, but I was highly dependant on him. As a result, I developed depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I finally left him even before receiving a green. When I filed a petition of abused spouse, it was REJECTED by immigration 3 TIMES. They did believe that I was abused by him, but they didn't believe that it was a true marriage as I wasn't included on the deed for the house. I had tons of evidence. I had to file another case, and finally was given a chance to speak in the court. It took me 5 years to get my green card; I spent $25,000-30,000 on lawyers; I developed depression and GAD. What procedures are you talking about???
Contrary to so many other
Contrary to so many other posts on here, about how the military is paid so little, that this can be used an excuse for what these men have done. There is no alibi, or excuse, permissable, as this could easily be considered a traitorous act against the security of our United States. I am also certain that this is probably only the tip of an iceberg, as phoney marriages, to protect illegal immigrants, are probably going on all across the United States.
Regardless, this is a very serious offense, and I am hoping it is treated as such.
Illegal immigrants are an immmense problem in our United States, costing American taxpayers far more than even the Wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Although the majority of the problem comes from Mexico, and South America, illegals, are illegals, and it matters not where they are from. They all have to be forced to leave our country.
I agree with Katz
I agree with Katz. This type of abuse is just pennies in the bucket compared to other major, more costly issues facing us as a nation. Considering that our enlisted members are paid peanuts a day to survive in an ever more expensive economy, what do you expect?
And now about me being
And now about me being mad...I cannot believe that some comments can be so negative? When people stopped being supportive and became so judgmental? Comment by Alexvb surprised me the most. I happen to be Russian. There are as many patriotic people in Russia, as there are in America. We do have souls and religion. But... every country has bad and good people and let's all be politically correct and won't generalize because it may sound a bit close-minded. I am VB local as well and happened to see these arrested girls couple times (Eastern European community is not big in our area). Most of these girls are young, kind, beautiful, and smart (all of them already have or pursuing bachelor's degree). They live, work and try to achieve something greater in life.
I hope my remarks didn't offend anyone's feelings. I certainly didn't mean it.
A solution
Perhaps the military should pay enlisted members what they believe they are worth and not pay them differently based on marital status or housing situation? No one else works that way. They're asking for abuse.
feel sorry and mad
Actually, I have two equally strong feelings now: feeling sorry and mad...
I feel very sorry for those grooms and brides. I don't think they were realizing how serious their crime was. If one put it in perspective, it was a crime against the government...but, I second the comment below and just put a rhetorical question out there: how many marriages in America are actually shams? Ha, if we speak about sailors in particular, how many of them marry American girls just get the same benefits as they got marrying foreign girl. No one ever is going to investigate the marriage where both people are US citizens. No one ever is going to press charges against him or her. Why? Exactly, because the whole pressing charges deal is about guys helping foreign girls get their green cards. And by mentioning tax money government is just trying to seek support from the public on this matter. Of course, there are legitimate ways to get a green card but they take many years of waiting, reapplying and so on. Did anyone notice how old guys and girls are? They are very young and they wanted to get green card faster, easier... The whole their problem is that they are really fascinated with life in America,
Subjectivity of prosecutions bothers me
If you have to be in love with your spouse to be married, there are a lot of marriages out their that are shams. The problem I have with these arrests is that the state cannot define hard and fast rules to show what constitutes a sham marriage. Do you have to live together? Can you marry for tax benefits? Can you marry someone you don't love because you are having his baby? Do you have to consummate the marriage? What if it started out as a sham, then they fell in love? How can the prosecutors prove that two people are not "married enough?"
I just wish....
I just wish all of this effort and energy was put into finding, prosecuting and deporting ALL illegal aliens. Especially from the south...Oh but wait, those don't count, Huh?
Reserve Judgment
Seeing this through the lens of a Naval Officer, and as one of these sailors is in my division, and having been there during his counseling on this subject, and having watched him break down over it, and seeing how he is one of my finest sailors, and seeing how he is still in police custody, I recommend that all of you reserve your judgment on this issue. The ramifications of this case are greater than you may think, and trials have not occurred, so please, let’s not judge just yet. To call into question the actions of these sailors is to question what makes a marriage legitimate: are American citizens allowed to marry foreign nationals? Are military members allowed the same rights in marriage as an American citizen? Do military members deserve the pay allocated by Congress for their dependents? Furthermore, what makes a marriage legitimate? Is it where the spouses live? Military members sometimes have no option in co-location. Or is a marriage to be judged on the magnitude of love displayed between spouses? Would it be fair for the government to pass judgment over every American’s marriage to determine if they are being taxed properly, based on the status of their de
Military pay and benefits...
Those of you pouting about military pay and benefits...please feel free to enlist and partake.
So
It is more important to track and deport these illegal aliens for getting married than it is to track and deport other illegal aliens who commit crimes? Why don't we give them amnesty the same as they want to for the Hispanic population who are costing more of the taxpayers money with free health care and schooling than these Eastern European brides. Just a thought.
My Comments Were Towards Chuck...
And no one else. My wife is in the Navy so I see how the pay goes. I also know that if she were in the Private Sector at the Port of VA or the one being built in NC she would easily make 30 to 50% more then she makes now. This is not a complaint, just stating the facts.
I do think that these people and others that engage in sham marriages should be held accountable but my comment was to Chuck who thinks that the Military people have it on easy street because of a Housing Allowance... Anyone reading anything more into my statements is just looking to argue...
Smokescreen for a larger problem.....
We're looking at a few service people who collectively are costing taxpayers pennies when compared to members of Congress who vote themselves huge payraises and their tax paying constituents are paying the price.
Rein in the Congressional free ride and the no-compete contracts the White House continues to award in support of the Iraq war.... THEN go after the nickels and dimes.
Strange That
Strange that all of the sailors listed that are attached to ships are serving aboard LHD's....Not that I know if there is any significance, but, merely an observation..Why weren't associated shore activities listed, or latest previous service aboard naval vessels?.. Maybe limited to LHD's...or just those 2 ships..
Benefits of Marriage in the Military
Military members who marry get less than $100 extra a month for the first dependent and nothing more for their other dependents. The benefit of the bogus marriages with immigrants is not the increase in their pay, but the money that the brides pay them for agreeing to do it. If you're crying because a married man in the military makes $40 more than you every two weeks, then you probably need to learn how to budget your money better. Consider this: for many legitimate (civilian) marriages, it is a lot easier for the spouse to work a stable job and bring home a second income. But for a military spouse who is constantly moving, this is not so easy. I don't think the little extra money they make as married service members is worth your whining, especially since they're fighting to protect your freedoms.
I did serve my country
I served my country and went overseas and spent a ton of time away from home. But I would have never thought of stealing from the gov. in this way. Sure the pay sucks. but you sign up for it in the beginning. There is no one holding a gun to your head when you sign on the dotted line. Every one these days knows what you are getting into. It kills me these days to hear about people complain about how bad the pay is. you know going in what you are going to make and not make. If you can't do it on what they are going pay or how long you are going to be gone, then don't sign up. It's not for everyone.
Marriage is Sacred
I am all for illegal immigrants if they are working and consuming in the USA. Their bosses make a profit on their labor and their consumption benefits local business. However, marriage should not be tampered with unless its really love. Marriage fraud should be punished by sending the Navy guys to hard labor and the girls back where they come from with permanent denial into the USA and their photos, fingerprints etc should be put on a national website with the pedofiles.
I am a VB local working in Eastern Europe, its really bad here and most people don't really have souls, the soviet union managed to kill religion. These people will do anything to get out. It should not be easy and marriage interviews and green card by marriage should be very hard and long to get. Guys have to watch these girls, most of them have men back home who are cool with their girl marrying a chump for 5 years. In Eastern Europe, $700 per month is considered a really great salary. So you can imagine how motivating minimum wage is....