Four Philippine nationals involved in an immigration scheme centered around hundreds of fraudulent marriages have received their sentences in the United States after striking plea deals.
Marcialito Biol Benitez, aged 50, was sentenced to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud last September. Benitez was accused of operating an agency in Los Angeles that orchestrated sham marriages for immigration purposes.
The agency, charging fees ranging from $20,000 to $35,000, facilitated false petitions, applications, and other documents to fraudulently adjust clients’ immigration statuses.
Additionally, Juanita Pacson, Engilbert Ulan, and Nino Valmeo, who were also involved with Benitez’s agency, have received sentences for their respective roles. These roles included recruiting clients, arranging marriages with US citizens, collecting payments, and filing immigration paperwork.
Originally indicted in a Boston federal court in April 2022 along with 11 co-defendants, the individuals have gradually accepted plea deals since the case’s inception.
Engilbert Ulan received a sentence of 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release, while Juanita Pacson was sentenced to four months of home confinement and two years of supervised release. Nino Valmeo received six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release.
