A 26-year-old Myrtle Beach man pled guilty in federal court Monday to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins says Timothy Staie will be sentenced at a later date.
Federal agents started an investigation in 2006 into a marriage fraud involving U.S. citizens and Israeli nationals living in Horry County. The investigation dubbed “Operation Wedding Planner,” revealed that U.S. citizens were being paid $1,400.00 to $4,000.00 to marry the Israelis, who would then apply for permanent resident status in the United States based on the marriages to U.S. citizens.
Evidence presented in court established that Hanna Logasi was a citizen of Israel, trying to become a U.S. citizen. Staie was paid to marry Logasi on April 19, 2005, in Horry County. The couple then filed forms with immigration authorities, claiming that they lived together as husband and wife. Staie admitted in court that he never lived with Logasi, and that the marriage was arranged only for Logasi to receive authorization to stay in the country.
Logasi is a fugitive in the case.
Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Staie can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for five years.
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