Feds break up Houston-area sham marriage ring, charging nearly 100 people

Legitimate marriages between non-citizens and Americans typically grants the non-citizen the ability to live in the country legally, prosecutors say. In these cases, the marriages were propped up as the accused and others made off with thousands of dollars. >>See which states have the highest and lowest marriage rates in the photos that follow... less Legitimate marriages between non-citizens and Americans typically grants the non-citizen the ability to live in the country legally, prosecutors say. In these cases, the marriages were propped up as the accused ... more Photo: Chronicle File Photo Photo: Chronicle File Photo Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Feds break up Houston-area sham marriage ring, charging nearly 100 people 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Nearly 100 people are facing federal charges associated with an alleged sham marriage ring operated out of the Houston area, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Law enforcement with several federal agencies investigated the ring for nearly a year, allegedly led by 53-year-old Ashley Yen Nguyen, AKA Duyen. Prosecutors claim individuals paid Duyen up to $70,000 to help organize illegitimate entry into the United States through sham marriages with United States citizens.

Legitimate marriages between non-citizens and Americans typically grants the non-citizen the ability to live in the country legally, prosecutors say. In these cases, the marriages were propped up – sometimes bolstered by fake wedding photos – as Duyen and others made off with thousands of dollars.

"Marriage fraud is a serious crime," U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services District Director Tony Bryson said in a press release.

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In many cases, indictments allege that those who participated in sham marriages often did not live together nor did they intend to. The couple would usually meet only moments before being married, prosecutors said.

Duyen allegedly worked with a network of U.S. citizens who agreed to get married to those who paid Duyen, often receiving compensation and even going on to recruiting more and more participants, prosecutors said. Workers in the alleged scheme who processed payments were also charged, authorities said.

Pearland attorney Trang Le Nguyen, AKA Nguyen Le Thien Trang, 45, was also charged in the 206-count indictment after helping with paperwork on at least one of the fraudulent marriages, prosecutors said. Nguyen is also accused of tampering with witnesses by telling them to go into hiding after they spoke with law enforcement during the investigation.

"By working together with our partners from various federal law enforcement agencies we have sent a resounding message that we are united in our effort to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that seek to circumvent U.S. law by fraudulent means," Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson said.

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In all, 96 people were indicted on a variety of charges, including marriage fraud, mail fraud, immigration fraud and giving false statements under oath, prosecutors said. Those charged with mail fraud could face up to 20 years in prison, while a marriage fraud charge has a maximum penalty of five years.

The other charges all have a 10-year prison sentence maximum penalty.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message