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Date: 06-21-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Ravi Babu Kolla
Case Number: 5:18-cr-00032-RH-MJF
Judge: Robert L. Hinkle
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Bay County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Corey J. Smith
Defendant's Attorney: Thomas J. Cassidy
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Description:
Panama City, FL - Panama City Marriage Fraud Defendant Sentenced to 7 Years
Ravi Babu Kolla, 47, an Indian foreign national residing in Panama City, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to commit marriage and visa fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Panama City received information from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office during November 2017 that an unusually large number of marriages were occurring in rural Alabama counties. The marriages almost always involved male Indian nationals from throughout the United States and local women from Bay County, Florida. The evidence established that Kolla organized over 80 fraudulent marriages, and the majority of the Indian nationals involved had overstayed their visas or Student Exchange Visitor Program requirements and were unlawfully present in the United States. Each bride was to be paid $12,000 over a defined period for agreeing to participate in a fraudulent marriage.
"Our nation relies on the security of our nation’s immigration system, and any kind of fraud committed to cheat that system is a serious matter," said United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe. "This investigation, and the sentence imposed today, confirms that those who abuse the immigration process will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
During June and July 2018, HSI Panama City executed a federal search warrant and three federal seizure warrants, resulting in the seizure of approximately $120,000 in suspected illicit proceeds, as well as documentary and electronic evidence related to numerous fraudulent marriages. Over $700,000 passed through Kolla’s bank accounts during the investigation. Currently, HSI Panama City is also coordinating with HSI New Delhi to locate and recover approximately $200,000 from the ICICI Bank in Mumbai, India, identified by investigators as additional proceeds from the marriage fraud enterprise.
This is an HSI-led investigation conducted with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Panama City, Blountstown, and Altha Police Departments, with assistance provided by sheriff’s offices in Coffee and Dale counties, Alabama.
"Marriage fraud is a serious crime that undermines our nation’s security," said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. "To help protect the legal immigration system and the values associated with U.S. citizenship, HSI special agents will continue to work with law enforcement partners to stop criminals that seek to circumvent our laws."
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Charges:
CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES
(1)
MONEY LAUNDERING - POSTAL, INTERSTATE WIRE, RADIO, ETC.
(2)
MONEY LAUNDERING - POSTAL, INTERSTATE WIRE, RADIO, ETC.
(2s)
Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to 84 months BOP (60 months on Count 1, 84 months on Count 2, to run concurrently). A term of Supervised Release of 3 years is imposed. SMA $200.00. Fine waived.
06/20/2019 102 Minute Entry for proceedings held before JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE: Sentencing held on 6/20/2019 for RAVI BABU KOLLA (1), Counts 1s,2s: Defendant is sentenced to 84 months BOP (60 months on Count 1, 84 months on Count 2, to run concurrently). A term of Supervised Release of 3 years is imposed. SMA $200.00. Fine waived. (Court Reporter Judy Gagnon) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit List) (ckm) (Entered: 06/20/2019)
06/20/2019 103 FORFEITURE MONEY JUDGMENT (granting 100 Motion for Forfeiture Money Judgment) as to RAVI BABU KOLLA (1). Signed by JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE on 6/20/2019. (ckm) (Entered: 06/20/2019)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: