The federal court has imposed a three-year probation sentence on Jesse Juan Teigita Dowai, a man who pleaded guilty to charges related to a sham marriage.<\/p>\n
At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona ordered Dowai to perform 50 hours of community service and participate in a substance abuse treatment program during his probation.<\/p>\n
Dowai was required to pay $100 in court assessment fee no later than June 27, 2014.<\/p>\n
Assistant U.S. attorney Ross Naughton recommended the low end of the sentencing guidelines, which is a probation term.<\/p>\n
Attorney Robert T. Torres, counsel for Dowai, recommended a non-jail sentence and probation.<\/p>\n
Torres said the only reason Dowai resorted to his criminal conduct was because of the enticement of money and the idea of helping Xiaoying Tang, a Chinese national, extend her work permit. Dowai and Tang got married at the Legislative Building on Capital Hill on Sept. 3, 2009.<\/p>\n
The lawyer said that Shahadat Hossain, a Bangladeshi national, approached Dowai and persuaded him to marry Tang in order to extend her work permit. Torres said Dowai agreed because Hossain promised to pay him $500.<\/p>\n
Torres said Dowai had a change of heart and wanted to make the marriage work, but learned that Tang was actually Hossain\u2019s girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, Torres said, Dowai has accepted responsibility for his conduct and acknowledged that he exercised poor judgment and should have known better.<\/p>\n
Torres also disclosed that Dowai has a history of alcohol and drug abuse and that it would beneficial for him to participate in a substance abuse treatment program.<\/p>\n
The indictment charged Tang and Dowai with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to defraud the U.S., visa fraud, and false document.<\/p>\n
Last Dec. 30, Dowai pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to defraud the U.S. The U.S. government agreed to drop the remaining charges.<\/p>\n
Last Monday, Hossain pleaded guilty to a separate indictment charging him with false statement. He will be sentenced on Oct. 24, 2014.<\/p>\n
Last month, the federal court slapped a two-year probation sentence against Tang. She was ordered to report to an immigration official for immediate deportation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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