New jersey man among four arrested in illegal immigrant marriage scam maryland

BALTIMORE, MD — Four individuals have been federally indicted after a sweeping investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uncovered an illegal scheme facilitating visa and marriage fraud. Ella Zuran, 65, Tatiana Sigal, 74, and Alexandra Tkach, 41, all from New York City, along with Shawnta Hopper, 33, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud following a coordinated operation.

The investigation, assisted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Maryland, resulted in the administrative arrest of 10 individuals on April 24. Immigration benefits granted to the involved parties have been revoked as part of the operation.

Key Points

Four individuals indicted for facilitating sham marriages to obtain immigration benefits.
ICE HSI Maryland led the investigation, resulting in 10 administrative arrests.
Defendants face up to five years in federal prison if convicted.

“Marriage fraud is not a victimless crime — it compromises the integrity of our immigration system,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Maryland Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy. Authorities emphasized that such acts divert vital resources and erode public trust in the legal immigration process.

According to the indictment, the investigation into the fraudulent marriages began in April 2022 under the Document and Benefit Fraud/El Dorado Task Force. U.S. citizen petitioners involved admitted during interviews that they were compensated financially to marry foreign nationals for immigration benefits.

Federal agents crack down on fraud with coordinated effort

HSI Maryland arrested Zuran, Sigal, and Tkach in March 2025. They allegedly orchestrated sham weddings, connected foreign nationals with U.S. citizens, and falsified immigration forms, including fake health attestations. Defendants received thousands of dollars for arranging these fraudulent marriages.

Hopper, additionally charged, was accused of recruiting women in Baltimore and surrounding areas to marry foreign nationals for money. She allegedly received compensation for her role in encouraging U.S. citizens to engage in the scheme.

USCIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said, “Some marriages are made in heaven. Some are just made up,” in describing the uncovering of the fraud operation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Defendants face potential federal prison time if convicted

If convicted, each defendant could face up to five years in federal prison. However, actual sentences are typically less than the maximum, as determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Special Agent in Charge David Richeson of the DSS Washington Field Office said, “The Diplomatic Security Service is a key partner in the United States’ work to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system.”

The indictment was announced by McCarthy, U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, and Elizabeth Grant, Field Office Director for USCIS Baltimore. No trial dates have been announced yet.

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