Connecticut woman pleads guilty to arranging 28 sham marriages

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut -- A Connecticut woman who federal prosecutors say helped arrange 28 sham marriages to obtain immigration benefits for non-citizens has pleaded guilty.

The Connecticut Post reports that 35-year-old Jodian Stephenson, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud in federal court in New Haven Monday.
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Prosecutors say one of the sham marriages was between Stephenson and a U.S. citizen.

Stephenson is from Jamaica.

Officials say she introduced the couples, organized the marriage celebration and ceremony and coached them on how to make their relationship and marriage appear real.
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She would charge up to $20,000 to fill out immigration paperwork and complete the process.

Stephenson faces up to five years in prison.



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