Immigrant faces sentencing in marriage fraud

Topeka Capital Journal ^ | December 3, 2012 | Associated Press

[La Lydia]

WICHITA — A Jamaican woman faces sentencing for entering into a sham marriage with a Fort Riley soldier to get legal immigration status. Shannakay Hunter now lives in New York City. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot gave her permission to participate by phone in her sentencing Monday, rather than traveling to Wichita for the proceeding.

Hunter was convicted in August of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud and lying to the government. She faces up to five years on each count but is likely to get far less prison time — if any — under federal guidelines.

The man she married, former Army private Joshua Priest, was sentenced in the case to 10 months for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and wire fraud. He testified against his wife at her trial ...

[La Lydia]

Soldier gets 10 months, the criminal isn't even required to show up for her sentencing. SHE COMMITTED FRAUD, WHY IS SHE ALLOWED TO STAY IN OUR COUNTRY?

[skeeter]

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot gave her permission to participate by phone

Something tells me prison time won't be in this slug's future.

[txrefugee]

No doubt this criminal had a free ObamaPhone. These cheats should immediately be barred for life from receiving any free stuff.

[vet7279]

From an earlier piece: She evidently turned him in for support payments....
The marriage came to the government’s attention in February 2011 when Hunter returned to Fort Riley from New York to make sure Priest would attend an upcoming immigration hearing in which her change of status was going to be heard. She told Priest’s superiors that he failed to provide support to her since their marriage, as required by Army regulations, and that he needed to be ordered to attend her impending immigration hearing, given his “moral obligation” to do so, according to a court filing. http://federalcrimesblog.com/tag/joshua-priest/

[C210N]

Judge Monti Belot gave her permission to participate by phone in her sentencing Monday, rather than traveling to Wichita...

Judge Mostly Belidiot should have forced an in-person trial at a Texan court on the border, the courtroom having two doors... one on this side of the border for her to enter, and the other on the other side for her to leave.

[Dr. Sivana]

Judge Mostly Belidiot should have forced an in-person trial at a Texan court on the border, the courtroom having two doors... one on this side of the border for her to enter, and the other on the other side for her to leave.

I don't believe Texas shares a border with Jamaica, and we don't want Mexico to set up a similar border court where they address all of their illegal alien criminals.

[La Lydia]

We would have no ability to deport her to Mexico. She needs to be put on a bargain flight back to Jamaica.