Manhattan Woman Pleads Guilty In Marriage Fraud Scheme

TOPEKA, KAN. - A Manhattan woman pleaded guilty Monday to taking part in a marriage fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Jacqueline Michaelle Reed, 48, Manhattan, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. In her plea, Reed, who is a United States Citizen, admitted she entered into a marriage contract with co-defandant Yun Chiu for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration laws. Chiu was a foreign national who was seeking lawful permanent residency status in this country. Their arrangement was part of a conspiracy led by Quong Bow Low, who was paid for helping aliens seek residency. Low’s fees covered such services as coaching the defendants as to how to answer questions during an immigration interview so that officials would believe the couple had entered in a valid marriage.

Reed and Chiu submitted fraudulent paperwork to immigration authorities, including a marriage license that never was filed with the state of Kansas, as well as a false declaration they were in a valid marriage and resided together at the same address in Lawrence, Kan.

Reed is set sentencing Jan. 12. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Co-defendants include:
Yun Chiu is set for trial Nov. 12.
Quong Bow Low is set for sentencing Nov. 14.

Grissom commended the Department of Homeland Security and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.