HOUSTON, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) – Three U.S. citizens and three Cambodian nationals were indicted with nine counts of conspiring to commit marriage fraud, benefit/visa fraud and passport fraud, U.S. Attorney Jose Angel Moreno announced on Friday.

The three detained Americans were identified as Julianne Garcia, 27, Helen Garcia, 64, and Michael Reese, 57. Lou Sou, 46, Sampher Thou, 35, and Jane Doe, also known as “Leaphiny Muth,” were the three Cambodian nationals involved in the fraudulent conspiracy. All six defendants are accused of conspiring to commit marriage fraud for the purpose of evading immigration laws and filing false documents to achieve their goals.

“The United States, a melting pot for immigrants from all corners of the world, continues to welcome legal immigration. It is illegal immigration, whether by illegal entry, overstay, or fraud, which cannot and will not be tolerated,” said Moreno.

The conspirators allegedly recruited American citizens to enter into fraudulent marriages with Cambodian nationals. The recruits received fees for the sham marriages that intended to fraudulently obtaining the conditional and lawful permanent resident status for marrying a U.S. citizen.

Julianne Garcia married Thou in August 2006, while Reece entered into a sham marriage with Ode in December 2006. Helen Garcia, Julianne’s mother, and Sour allegedly aided her and Thou in their fraudulent marriage. Sou also aided Reece and Doe. She allowed her residence to be used on the marriage license applications as the address of both couples.

Doe is also charged with visa fraud, using and possessing a U.S. non-immigrant visa in the name of Leaphiny Muth. Doe and Reece also falsely claimed on a passport application for a child that Reece was the father.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment while the passport and visa fraud carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.