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Man in fake marriage gets 3-year probation sentence
The federal court has imposed a three-year probation sentence on Jesse Juan Teigita Dowai, a man who pleaded guilty to charges related to a sham marriage.
At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona ordered Dowai to perform 50 hours of community service and participate in a substance abuse treatment program during his probation.
Dowai was required to pay $100 in court assessment fee no later than June 27, 2014.
Assistant U.S. attorney Ross Naughton recommended the low end of the sentencing guidelines, which is a probation term.
Attorney Robert T. Torres, counsel for Dowai, recommended a non-jail sentence and probation.
Torres said the only reason Dowai resorted to his criminal conduct was because of the enticement of money and the idea of helping Xiaoying Tang, a Chinese national, extend her work permit. Dowai and Tang got married at the Legislative Building on Capital Hill on Sept. 3, 2009.
The lawyer said that Shahadat Hossain, a Bangladeshi national, approached Dowai and persuaded him to marry Tang in order to extend her work permit. Torres said Dowai agreed because Hossain promised to pay him $500.
Torres said Dowai had a change of heart and wanted to make the marriage work, but learned that Tang was actually Hossain’s girlfriend.
Nonetheless, Torres said, Dowai has accepted responsibility for his conduct and acknowledged that he exercised poor judgment and should have known better.
Torres also disclosed that Dowai has a history of alcohol and drug abuse and that it would beneficial for him to participate in a substance abuse treatment program.
The indictment charged Tang and Dowai with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to defraud the U.S., visa fraud, and false document.
Last Dec. 30, Dowai pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to defraud the U.S. The U.S. government agreed to drop the remaining charges.
Last Monday, Hossain pleaded guilty to a separate indictment charging him with false statement. He will be sentenced on Oct. 24, 2014.
Last month, the federal court slapped a two-year probation sentence against Tang. She was ordered to report to an immigration official for immediate deportation.
