United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Timothy Staie, age 26, of Myrtle Beach, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten accepted the plea and will sentence Staie at a later date.
In July 2006, federal agents initiated an investigation into a marriage fraud scheme involving U.S. citizens and Israeli nationals residing in Horry County, South Carolina. The investigation , dubbed ”Operation Wedding Planner,” revealed that U.S. citizens were being paid $1,400.00 to $4,000.00 to marry the Israelis, who would then apply for permanent resident status in the United States based on the marriages to U.S. citizens.
Evidence presented in court established that Hanna Logasi was a citizen of Israel, trying to become a U.S. citizen. Staie was paid to marry Logasi on April 19, 2005, in Horry County. The couple then filed forms with immigration authorities, claiming that they lived together as husband and wife. Staie admitted in court that he never lived with Logasi, and that the marriage was arranged only for Logasi to receive authorization to stay in the country.
Logasi is a fugitive in the case.
Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Staie can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for five years.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.
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