The indictment says the ring processed 18 to 20 sham marriages each year, charging between $38,000 and $40,000 per wedding. Over a decade, the operation amassed millions in profit, with mastermind Jennifer Gonzalez allegedly funneling proceeds into real‑estate ventures in the Dominican Republic.
Defendants used a systematic process: staged weddings were recorded, then the U.S. citizen partners received regular payments to keep the façade alive. After a few years, the couples divorced and entered new sham marriages with fresh clients. The scheme also directed customers to create insurance policies and joint bank accounts to mimic a bona fide marriage.
Leah Foley, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said the fraud exploited the family‑based green‑card provision that allows U.S. citizens to sponsor spouses. "The American Dream is not for sale," Foley said, noting that Gonzalez had invested the profits in businesses abroad.
The indictment names five co‑conspirators—Eric Daniels, Cherise Alejandro, Amara Pugh, Jessica Tavares and Jaylin Hill—each accused of facilitating one or more sham marriages. All face the possibility of prison terms up to 20 years.
The case will be heard in federal court in Boston, with the first hearing slated for next month. If the defendants are found guilty, prosecutors expect sentences that could rack up to two decades behind bars.