Federal authorities in Boston announced charges yesterday against six people accused of running a large-scale marriage fraud ring that operated for more than a decade in Massachusetts. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the alleged leader, Jennifer Gonzalez of Fall River, arranged sham marriages between illegal aliens and U.S. citizens so the non-citizens could fraudulently obtain immigration status.
Gonzalez, 43, is accused of running the operation for at least 10 years, averaging 18 to 20 sham marriages per year and typically charging $38,000 to $40,000 each. Court documents allege she earned hundreds of thousands of dollars annually—millions overall—and used the proceeds to buy businesses and real estate in the Dominican Republic, which she repeatedly called “her country.”
The other defendants charged are Erica Daniels, 29; Chreise Alejandro, 39; Amara Pugh, 31; and Jaylin Hill, 26, all of Fall River; and Jessica Tavares, 31, of Attleboro. They face charges including conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, and marriage fraud. Five were arrested yesterday; Hill is already serving a state sentence on a firearms offense.
Investigators say Gonzalez paid U.S.-citizen co-defendants to enter the marriages and coached customers on creating the appearance of a real relationship—setting up joint bank accounts and life insurance policies, taking “couple” photos, and waiting three to four months before filing paperwork with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She allegedly used disguised “loan” contracts that avoided any mention of a spouse so the documents would not look “incriminating,” accepted $3,000 cash down payments, and required ongoing $500 monthly payments to the assigned “spouse” or an associate.
Recordings captured during the investigation include Gonzalez describing Massachusetts as a “sanctuary” that is “the best place for you to be,” noting that “you get a lot of help as an immigrant here” and that the state “defends us very much.” Multiple defendants are also accused of lying on SNAP applications while filing immigration petitions; Gonzalez allegedly received more than $120,000 in SNAP benefits during the scheme.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case remains an ongoing investigation.