Two Georgia men and a New Yorker appeared in U.S. District Court, Atlanta, on Thursday on charges they conspired to bribe a federal officer in return for help on their immigration status, authorities said.
A federal grand jury returned indictments on Aug. 21 against Hakeem Omar, 30, and Ibrahim Barrie, 31, both of Atlanta, and Samuel Bolay, 24, of New York, charging them with conspiracy and bribery. Federal agents arrested all three men on Wednesday.
In a prepared statement, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “The integrity of our immigration process has important implications for the security of our communities, and this case shows that we will take efforts to subvert this process seriously.”
According to federal prosecutors, beginning in September 2010 and continuing until at least July, the three suspects paid thousands of dollars in bribes to a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, who was working undercover. They allegedly believed the agent would help them with naturalization and obtaining a permanent residency or “green” card.
The defendants were arraigned Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand, who set detention hearings for Sept. 11.
If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to five years on the conspiracy charge and 15 years on the bribery counts; and fines of up to $250,000 for conspiracy and the same sum or three times the amount of their bribes, whichever is greater, on the bribery counts, authorities said. They also could be deported.
Additionally, Omar, a naturalized citizen, has been charged with naturalization fraud, prosecutors said. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to as much as 10 years in prison and fined up to $250,000.
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