BOSTON – A former Springfield man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with entering into a sham marriage in order to obtain immigration benefits for another individual.
Phu Thanh Huynh, 33, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy, immigration fraud and making false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 22, 2021. Huynh was indicted in October 2019.
On or about Sept. 28, 2013, Huynh married a Vietnamese national, referred to as Jane Doe, solely for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits for Doe. Huynh and Doe never lived together after getting married. In or about late 2013 or early 2014, a co-conspirator paid Huynh $20,000 in cash for engaging in the sham marriage. On approximately Nov. 7, 2013, Huynh filed a false petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to classify Doe as his spouse for immigration purposes. On approximately May 3, 2017, Huynh made various false statements to a USCIS officer concerning his marriage to Doe, including that they spoke to each other almost every day.
The charges of conspiracy and making false statements each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of immigration fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
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