William S. Thompson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Joseph Sanchez, a 33-year-old resident of Fairbury, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to charges related to an immigration marriage fraud conspiracy. According to court records and statements, Sanchez was approached in August 2021 by a foreign national working at a convenience store near his home in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The foreign national offered Sanchez $10,000 to find a woman willing to marry him so he could secure lawful permanent resident status.
Sanchez agreed and arranged for his sister-in-law to marry the foreign national. He informed her about the financial benefits involved. Their connection with the foreign national was limited to occasional interactions at the convenience store.
The marriage took place in September 2021 in White Sulphur Springs. In March 2023, Sanchez accompanied his sister-in-law and the foreign national to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for an interview with U.S. immigration officials. The goal was to convince officials that the marriage was legitimate. However, the plan failed as the application was denied.
Sanchez is set for sentencing on May 30, 2025. He faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the investigation by U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn oversaw the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is handling prosecution.
Further information can be accessed through PACER using Case No. 5:24-cr-198 or on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
