NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, woman, Andrea Torres, 56, and her son, Philip Torres, 27, both of Newark, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit marriage fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Andrea Torres pleaded guilty to a two-count superseding indictment that charged her and others with conspiracy to harbor non-U.S. citizens by arranging fraudulent marriages between them and U.S. citizens. Her son, Philip, pleaded guilty to Count Two of the indictment before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court.From September 2016 through March 2021, Andrea Torres and her sister, Regina Johnson, organized and facilitated sham marriages for non-U.S. citizens desiring to remain in the U.S. without proper legal status or documentation. They recruited U.S. citizens as spouses and paid them to enter into these sham marriages.
From March 2021 through June 2021, Philip Torres also took part in the scheme by officiating some of the fraudulent marriages. Andrea Torres and Johnson arranged for fraudulent marriage licenses, staged wedding ceremonies, and after parties, and advised their clients to create the appearance of a genuine relationship through photographs and joint bank accounts, despite the clients never intending to live with their U.S. spouses.
They also helped clients complete immigration forms to obtain permanent residency based on false information. Johnson has already pleaded guilty to the charge in Count One of the indictment.Each count of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the monetary gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is higher. Sentencing for Andrea and Philip Torres is scheduled for December 14.