From Deseret News archives:
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
