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Marriage fraud suspect guilty on two counts
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Posted on Aug 14 2008
A jury found a Bangladeshi man accused of helping orchestrate two sham marriages guilty on two counts stemming from one of the marriages.
Minto Minto was found guilty of conspiring to commit marriage fraud and solicitation stemming from a planned marriage between Muhammad Saiful Islam and Alisilynn Mallens.
Minto was acquitted on the same charges in relation to a planned marriage between Munnaf Miah and Severene Kosam.
Assistant Attorney General Melissa Simms, who was assisted by Katie Busenkell, said she was happy with the outcome.
“I’m very pleased with the verdict and confident the jury took their time making a decision,” she said.
Simms said she respects the jury’s decision that they did not have enough evidence to convict Minto on the other two counts.
Steve Pixley, Minto’s court-appointed lawyer, said he was disappointed Minto was not acquitted on all counts, but thought the jury was very attentive.
Pixley said he is exploring legal options for appeal.
He also said he thought Simms handled the case well.
Minto will be sentenced Oct. 8 at 9am.
According to the charging information, in March 2007 Maria Aurelio Ray, Islam and Minto agreed on a plan for Islam to marry Mallens for the sole purpose of obtaining labor and immigration benefits.
Also in March 2007, Ray, Miah and Minto allegedly conspired that Miah would marry Kosam for the purpose of obtaining labor and immigration benefits.
In July, Miah was found guilty of soliciting marriage fraud, but he was acquitted on the charge of conspiring with others to commit marriage fraud.
In May, a jury found Ray guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, but acquitted her on two counts of solicitation.
Islam fled to Bangladesh before he could be tried.
