Another senior member of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) has been sentenced by a US court in connection with a visa fraud scheme involving sham marriages and falsified immigration documents.
According to GMA News Online, Marissa Duenas, a KOJC administrator in the United States, has been ordered by Judge Terry Hatter Jr. of the US District Court for the Central District of California to be immediately turned over to the Bureau of Prisons. She previously pleaded guilty to visa fraud as part of a plea deal with the US Attorney’s Office.
Although Duenas has already served her prison time, she will remain under federal supervision for the next two years. During this period, she must avoid any legal violations and adhere to strict conditions imposed by the court.
As the human resources head of KOJC in the US, Duenas reportedly held on to the passports and immigration documents of workers to prevent them from leaving or accessing their papers. She was also involved in organizing fraudulent student visas and sham marriages to keep KOJC members in the US and help raise funds for the church.
The remaining charges against her have been dropped following her plea agreement.
Last April, another KOJC official, Guia Cabactulan, was sentenced to six months in prison. Cabactulan previously served as the lead US administrator for the church and managed its operations and financial reporting. She, too, entered into a plea deal after admitting her role in the visa fraud network.
Amanda Estopare, another key KOJC figure who took over financial tracking duties from Cabactulan, is expected to be sentenced in the coming months.
Meanwhile, KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is detained in the Philippines for separate charges including qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse, remains a wanted fugitive in the US along with Helen Panilag and Teresita Dandan, all of whom are still being sought by the FBI.
