RALEIGH, N.C. — A sergeant and a personal at Fort Bragg desired to prepare sham marriages between soldiers and immigrants, providing money, housing advantages and furniture as incentive for possible brides, relating to federal court papers.
Arrest warrants had been released week that is last Sgt. Edward Kumi Anguah, described as « the facilitator » for the conspiracy, and Pvt. Ahmid Mohammed-Murtada, a recently naturalized resident from Ghana serving in a Fort Bragg Army device, court public records reveal.
The investigation started in when an agent for the Department of Homeland Security interviewed Pvt december. Endasia East about having an affair with a single soldier while married to Sulemana Ibrahim, based on a unlawful issue filed in U.S. District Court when it comes to Eastern District of new york.
Through that meeting, » the marriage had been confirmed by her was in reality fraudulent, » based on court public records.
On its web site, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says it will not recognize « relationships entered into for purposes of evading immigration laws and regulations. »
Mohammed, about marrying Ibrahim, who wanted to gain lawful permanent residence, an affidavit said as he is called in court records, served in the same unit with East and approached her. Court records show Ibrahim had been a resident of Ghana located in ny for a tourist visa that expired in 2018 july.
Within the deal, East would be to get a Basic Housing Allowance stipend, typically $1,000 or higher, 8 weeks’ lease totaling $1,250 and furniture for a brand new apartment that is off-post.
East and Ibrahim married during the Cumberland County Courthouse in July, then East went along to dinner with Anguah, whom stated he arranged numerous fraudulent marriages, the affidavit stated.
« She ended up being told by Sgt. Anguah and Private Mohammed that she would have to stage photos with Ibrahim so as to make the wedding look legitimate, » based on court papers.
The 2 soldiers additionally instructed East to put Ibrahim on her behalf apartment rent to offer the looks he lived in Fayetteville in the place of ny, documents said. She additionally included him to solution member term life insurance papers.
« Private East stated Sgt. Anguah had expected her for him to arrange marriages to, » the affidavit said if she was willing to find additional soldiers. « She told Sgt. Anguah she is russian bride reviews in the lookout. »
East later called Anguah and pointed out a friend « interested in doing the thing that is same i am doing with Ibrahim, » documents said, to which Anguah replied, « Yeah. »
In January, an undercover officer met Anguah at a Starbucks in Fayetteville and told him she desired $800 to marry an immigrant, and Anguah proposed $2,000 alternatively. Later on, the affidavit stated, she had been told by him he had been likely to get $6,000 and simply take a cut.
« Sgt. Anguah reported he’d care for the band and ‘everything,' » the affidavit stated.
On Monday, Anguah called the representative with a person whom identified himself as Kwaphoom Eugene Hoomkwap at risk. In the phone, Hoomkwap stated he wished to log off work with nyc to obtain hitched in Fayetteville, court public records stated.
On Thursday, they came across during the Fayetteville courthouse for the wedding permit.
Federal arrest warrants were given for Hoomkwap, Ibrahim, Mohammed-Murtada and Anguah on charges of marriage fraud, misuse of visas and aiding and abetting thursday.
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