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U.S. Department of Justice Stephen J. Murphy Suite 2001 |
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For Immediate Release: June 21, 2007 |
EVENT: Guilty Plea
Defendant: Ali Fouad Ayache
DEARBORN MAN PLEADS GUILTYTO MARRIAGE FRAUD CHARGES
A Dearborn man pleaded guilty today in federal court to an Indictment charging him with marriage fraud, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced.
Murphy was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Brian Moskowitz of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ali Fouad Ayache, 25, of Dearborn, Michigan entered the guilty plea in United States District Court before United States District Judge George Caram Steeh.
The information presented to the court at the time of the plea showed that Ali Fouad Ayache, a Lebanese national, committed marriage fraud when he entered into a bogus marriage with United States citizen Kristy Ann Dugray on November 22, 2002 in Wayne County, Michigan for purposes of evading U.S. immigration laws. Ayache lied about the marriage fraud to federal agents on May 1, 2007, and also attempted to persuade Ms. Dugray to lie to federal officials about the marriage fraud.
"If a person obtains U.S. citizenship, a green card or other immigration benefits unlawfully, that's a federal crime that we take very seriously." United States Attorney Murphy said. "The notion that someone who commits fraud to get citizenship papers or a green card can then rest easy once the documents are issued is a false assumption indeed."
Special Agent Moskowitz said, "ICE will take every step necessary to deny those who use lies and deceit from enjoying the privileges of living in the United States."
Ayache faces a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on the count of conviction. The guilty plea was entered pursuant to a written plea agreement, however, providing for no more than 6 months imprisonment and immediate deportation to Lebanon. Sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2007 at 3:30 p.m.
In announcing the guilty plea, Murphy commended the work of the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement who conducted the investigation. The prosecution of Ali Ayache was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Chadwell, the office's Anti-Terrorism Immigration Coordinator