What the indictment alleges
Federal prosecutors say an alleged transnational marriage fraud operation targeted U.S. citizens, with a preference for members of the military, to help foreign nationals get permanent residency. The indictment charges 11 people in three counts, accusing them of running a scheme that arranged sham marriages across Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Nevada. Officials say the ring set up staged photos and paperwork to fool immigration officers and used a stepwise payment plan to reward participants at each milestone.
How the scheme reportedly worked
Prosecutors describe a simple business model. Recruiters paid cash up front to U.S. citizens who agreed to marry a foreign national. A second payment came after the immigration status was adjusted. A final payout arrived after the couple divorced, once the foreign spouse had secured a green card. Investigators say the operation staged wedding shoots and supplied false evidence to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to make the marriages look real.
The bribery plot and base access
The indictment alleges the conspiracy did not stop at fake weddings. It claims conspirators tried to bribe a personnel official at Naval Air Station Jacksonville to obtain real, but unauthorized, Department of Defense ID cards. According to court filings, Navy reservist Raymond Zumba offered cash for under-the-table credentials. An undercover source then handed over two ID cards and $3,500, after which agents arrested Zumba and recovered the cards. That is the part that raises national security eyebrows.
Who has pleaded guilty so far
Several former service members have already admitted guilt in related cases. The indictment mentions Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, and Jacinth Bailey, all of whom are former Navy personnel who pleaded guilty to charges tied to the scheme. Other named defendants include Anny Chen, Hailing Feng, and Kin Man Cheok, who face additional allegations including bribery. All defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty in court.
Why officials call this a national security issue
Homeland Security Investigations framed the case as more than fraud. HSI says transnational groups that exploit immigration laws can threaten customs and base security. The alleged use of unauthorized ID cards and targeted recruitment of military members is the part that shifts this from paperwork fraud to a potential threat to installations. For investigators, it is a reminder that border and immigration rules can have direct ties to the safety of our troops and bases.
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