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Date: 07-06-2020
Case Style:
United States of America v. Jessica Marie Rubio
Case Number: 1:18-cr-00221-JTN
Judge: Janet T. Neff
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney�s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
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Description:
Grand Rapids, MI - The United States of America charged Jessica Marie Rubio with wire fraud conspiracy to defraud those without legal status.
Defendant, age 32, of Grand Rapids, Michigan pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy in a scheme to defraud those without legal status in the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. �� 1349 and 1343. Rubio faces a maximum of 20 years� imprisonment, 3 years� supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense.
Rubio admitted at the plea hearing that over a six-year period in Michigan, Texas, and elsewhere, she solicited people who did not have legal status in the United States by assuming the identity of a Department of Homeland Security attorney and promised to prepare and expedite the immigration application process for them, which included the filing of numerous immigration forms to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") and the Department of Justice - Executive Office for Immigration Review. Rubio demanded payment for her services, purported to be legitimate fees, but knew that she did not and would not ever submit these forms on her clients� behalf. At least 15 victims in Michigan and another 15 victims in Texas fell victim to this scheme, with total loss amounts calculated at $105,245 at the time of the guilty plea.
"This reprehensible scheme targeted people attempting to comply with the immigration laws of the United States, taking advantage of their hopes at the expense of the agencies that administer those immigration laws and our country in the process," U.S. Attorney Birge commented.
Maintaining the integrity of our nation�s immigration system remains one of the top priorities for the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"), Office of Inspector General ("OIG"). "To that end, the DHS OIG and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and investigate those who disparage the reputation of the DHS or its employees. The agency has zero tolerance for those who prey upon the vulnerable who simply desire to become U.S. citizens, and will continue to work tirelessly to bring justice to those who commit such despicable acts," Acting Special Agent in Charge Todd Dennis, DHS OIG � Detroit Field Office said.
"Ms. Rubio�s conviction serves as an example to those who choose to victimize our community and undermine our nation�s legal system," said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI") - San Antonio Field Office. "She not only stole their money, but their American dream of obtaining legal status to remain in the United States. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement counterparts to investigate criminals who manipulate and exploit the legal system for their own personal gain and see that they are brought to justice."
The case was investigated by DHS OIG - Detroit Field Office, HSI - San Antonio Field Office, the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate of USCIS � Harlingen Field Office, Texas Department of Public Safety � Harlingen Criminal Investigations Division, and the Holland Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay M. West prosecuted the case.
18:1349, 18:1343 ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD; conspiracy to commit wire fraud
(1)
18:1349, 18:1343 ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD; conspiracy to commit wire fraud
(1s)
18:1343 FRAUD BY WIRE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION; wire fraud
(2-5)
18:1343 FRAUD BY WIRE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION; wire fraud
(2s-5s)
18:912 IMPERSONATING OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF U.S.; false personation
(6-7)
18:912 IMPERSONATING OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF U.S.; false personation
(6s-7s)
Outcome: 06/23/2020 63 MINUTES of CHANGE OF PLEA as to defendant Jessica Marie Rubio held before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens; GUILTY PLEA ENTERED to Count 1s; detention continued (Proceedings Digitally Recorded) (jal) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
06/23/2020 64 CONSENT between defendant Jessica Marie Rubio and counsel allowing Magistrate Judge to preside over guilty plea hearing (jal) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
06/23/2020 65 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION that the guilty plea of Jessica Marie Rubio as to Count 1 of the Superseding Indictment be accepted; objections to R&R due within 14 days; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
06/23/2020 66 NOTICE as to defendant Jessica Marie Rubio: sentencing set for 10/1/2020 at 11:00 AM at 401 Federal Building, Grand Rapids, MI before Judge Janet T. Neff; defense counsel should review the obligations section of the WDMI website (Judge Janet T. Neff, rmw) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
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