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U.S. Department of Justice Stephen J. Murphy Suite 2001
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For Immediate Release: Contact: Gina Balaya (313) 226-9758 July 11, 2007 |
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EVENT: Sentencing
Defendant: Ali Fouad Ayache
DEARBORN MAN SENTENCED AND DEPORTED TO LEBANON
United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced today that Ali Fouad Ayache, 25, of Dearborn, Michigan was sentenced today in federal court in Detroit to time served on Marriage Fraud charges and simultaneously ordered deported to Lebanon. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge George Caram Steeh, after Ayache pleaded guilty on June 21, 2007.
United States Attorney Stephen J. 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.
United States Attorney Murphy said, “Our Office continues to vigorously and systematically pursue those who have obtained their U.S. citizenship, green cards or other immigration benefits unlawfully. We need to dispose of the notion that a criminal immigrant can rest easy once he gets his citizenship papers or green card,” Mr. Murphy emphasized, “because the Department of Justice, including the FBI, and ICE will pursue all criminal, civil, and administrative remedies at our disposal to deprive wrongdoers of their ability to reside in the United States.”
Special Agent Arena said, “This investigation is an example of the cooperative effort of the FBI and ICE working to address those criminal activities which impact our community.”
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.”
According to the information provided to the Court at the time of the guilty plea, 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.
In announcing the sentence, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy commended the work of the Special Agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who conducted the investigation. The prosecution of Ali Ayache was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Chadwell.