Viet man avoids jail in marriage-fraud ring
Shedding tears in court, Buu Van Troung pleaded for mercy with the court, pointing out that he was a single father and had no one to take care of his 6-year-old son if were sent to prison.
Troung was identified as one of five "ring leaders" among 24 people who were caught operating a marriage visa fraud ring between Vietnam and Utah.
After an 18-month investigation last August called "Operation Morning Glory" federal officials said they uncovered an operation in which Utah residents were recruited and paid between $50 to as much as $10,000 to marry Vietnamese citizens so they could gain citizenship. Authorities say people in Vietnam were willing to pay as much as $30,000 for the fraudulent marriages.
The group would arrange travel to Vietnam for Utahns who would take part in an "engagement ceremony" with a paying customer. The couple would then have photos taken in various changes of clothing in order to show U.S. immigration officials that they had been in a long-term romantic relationship.
Federal prosecutors say some Utahns were motivated by the money while others were lured by the humanitarian aspect of offering someone a better life.
Specifically, prosecutors alleged that Troung ran a travel agency in which he sold airline tickets to Vietnam for the operation.
Troung previously struck a plea deal with prosecutors. In exchange, the government was willing to recommend about a year in prison.
U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell said he did not believe Troung was the head of the operation and sentenced him to serve six months home confinement and a $4,000 fine.
Already one other defendant, Danh Huy Do, has been sentenced to 12 months bench probation. Three others await sentencing.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com
Comments
- May trade deficit dropped to $26B 9:08 p.m.
- Continental granted antitrust immunity 9:07 p.m.
- Jackson event draws thousands 9:02 p.m.
- Jackson hearing postponed 9:01 p.m.
- Contador knocks Armstrong into 3rd 9:01 p.m.
- Two men order off church plaza 8:59 p.m.
- Flight attendants want larger sizes 8:58 p.m.
- People on the move 8:53 p.m.
- 'Smart Home' block party in Provo 8:37 p.m.
- Death near Rockville suspicious 7:46 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Blazers offer Millsap 4-year deal
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
141 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
138 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - LDS seminary principal arrested
131 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
93 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
71
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Anonymous | 6:13 p.m. If YOU believe it is inevitable that the planet will...
Are the Trail blazers still interested in a trade with the Jazz? If the...
Yes, this is a very bad deal. I'm glad you geniuses can see through it. Now...
Let Obama pay for it all. He taxing me to death, to help the so called poor,...
Paul did exactly what the Jazz management told his agent to do: "Go out and...
How about a little sympathy here? It is much, much harder to pay campaign...
then we release harpring
i hope they go for lamar odom if they dont resign milsap. they give golden...
Another wild idea - why not limit the costs involved in healthcare. Why does...
Brother Pratt was a great teacher when I had him. I slept through seminary...


You can be the first to comment on this story.