Ukrainian ladies sentenced to jail time for wedding fraud

May 9, 2020

After making a bachelor’s level in economics inside her indigenous Ukraine, Valeriya Tsymbal stumbled on the usa with the expectation to getting a master’s level, delivering cash house to her family members, and saving sufficient to get back and start a camp for kiddies with disabilities.

Rather, Tsymbal had been provided for jail Monday after getting caught in a married relationship fraudulence band.

Shaking and crying after getting a four-month prison term, Tsymbal collapsed in a back hallway outside a federal courtroom. Court safety officers stated she recovered.

She might have gotten much more time.

U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson denied a prosecutor’s demand that Tsymbal get extra prison time for lying to immigration authorities.

Tsymbal pleaded accountable to conspiracy to commit marriage fraudulence.

She joined the united states on a pupil visa in June 2004, but that expired in March 2005, relating to court public records. That very first summer time, she worked at a camp for the kids with disabilities in brand brand brand New Hampshire before going to Virginia Beach.

Through buddies whom additionally participated in arranged marriages, Tsymbal married and met, in 2005, Navy sailor Jeremy S. Emrick. Both later on admitted to authorities that the wedding had been a sham, arranged so Tsymbal might get a green card permitting her to keep in the united states. Emrick also received a housing that is additional through the Navy.

Emrick has since kept the Navy. Their instance was utilized in Wyoming, where he pleaded responsible and it is waiting for sentencing.

Tsymbal pleaded with Jackson to spare her prison time.

In a page to your judge, she had written that she’d voluntarily leave the country.

“I experienced a fantasy of experiencing a life and assisting my children, particularly my dad who was simply disabled, ” she penned to your judge.

Her parents offered fresh fruit for a full time income, and she was in fact care that is taking of siblings whilst in the Ukraine. She stated she arrived right here to create an improved life for her household home and that she loveandseek delivered most of her profits for them.

“I felt obligated to simply help my children, who had been struggling to endure when you look at the Ukraine, where a lot of people could not manage food and hot clothing, ” she believed to the judge.

“we never ever also recognized the severity with this work, ” she stated, talking about the marriage that is phony. “I became really lonely and hopeless, and I saw this since the alternative that is only manage to stay static in the usa and achieve my objectives. “

She then apologized.

“we realize my blunder, and I also feel profoundly sorry for just what i’ve done, ” she told the judge.

Another Eastern woman that is european in a almost identical situation, additionally had been sentenced Monday.

Ruslana V. Katushynska received 10 months in prison after pleading accountable to conspiracy to commit wedding fraud. She admitted stepping into a fraudulent wedding with Navy sailor Michael Metal.

Katushynska admitted that she paid $6,000 when it comes to arranged marriage. In exchange, she managed to remain in the united states lawfully, and Metal received a housing that is additional through the Navy. She found its way to the nation in December 2004 on a tourist that is three-month and had been remaining right right here illegally because the visa expired.

Based on court documents filed by federal prosecutors, Katushynska came across her spouse for the very first time April 26, 2005, after using the bus to Norfolk from nyc. They certainly were hitched that time in Norfolk Circuit Court.

She and Metal had been arrested fall that is last. Metal’s situation had been utilized in Los Angeles, where he lives. They certainly were caught along side two other people whenever an undercover agent that is federal being a groom infiltrated the group.