Four Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Visa and Marriage Fraud

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has charged four individuals, Ella Zuran, 65, Tatiana Sigal, 74, and Alexandra Tkach, 41, all from New York City, New York — along with Shawnta Hopper, 33, of Sicklerville, New Jersey — with conspiracy to commit visa and marriage fraud.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Baltimore, and Field Office Director Elizabeth Grant, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Baltimore Field Office.

“The defendants’ greed led them to concoct an illegal-marriage scheme that compromises the integrity of our immigration system,” Hayes said.  “This indictment sends a clear message: the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue and hold accountable those who try to exploit our immigration system through fraud and deception.”

“Marriage fraud is not a victimless crime — it compromises the integrity of our immigration system, diverts critical resources, and erodes public trust in a process that countless individuals follow legally and in good faith,” McCarthy said. “These arrests mark a critical milestone in our broader effort to dismantle a criminal network that has sought to undermine our nation’s immigration laws. HSI remains committed to safeguarding the lawful immigration process and holding accountable those who seek to exploit it.”

“Some marriages are made in heaven. Some are just made up,” said USCIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser. “Our work with ICE crushed a marriage fraud ring where U.S. citizens were paid to marry aliens. Under Secretary Noem, fraudsters are walking out in handcuffs. Buying a spouse doesn’t make you a citizen.” 

According to the indictment, the defendants induced United States citizens, residing in Maryland and elsewhere, to enter sham marriages with aliens living in the U.S. in exchange for payment. The defendants paired U.S. citizens with aliens seeking immigration benefits that the non-citizens were not entitled to, including permanent residency in the United States. The defendants then allegedly arranged for the preparation of false documentation to submit to USCIS and received money in exchange for arranging the fraudulent marriages.  

If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force and USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Unit – Baltimore for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Spencer Todd and Michael Aubin who are prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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