Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05/19/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Kathleen DeLoe

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

NO CONTEST FELONY PLEAS IN IMMIGRATION FRAUD CASE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Ramon Rodriguez, an immigration consultant, entered no contest pleas to three separate counts of grand theft.

Immigrants paid the defendant up to $6,000 each to obtain legal residency in the United States. The defendant was charged with 17 counts of grand theft after the victims reported to authorities that Rodriguez falsely advised them they qualified for legal residency. The victims, in fact, did not qualify for residency and were ordered deported by immigration authorities. Rodriguez entered no contest pleas before Superior Court Judge Elaine Rushing after 3 of the 21 victims testified at the preliminary hearing.

Rodriguez agreed to make restitution to all 21 victims. Judge Rushing delayed sentencing to allow him time to acquire funds to repay in excess of $60,000 to the victims. He could be committed to state prison for a maximum period of 3 years and 4 months. The sentencing court date is November 7, 2005.

Deputy District Attorney Kathleen DeLoe was the assigned prosecutor. She was assisted by Deputy District Attorney Juliette Olson, District Attorney Investigator Bob Simerson, and District Attorney Victim Advocate Sandra Cardenas. The District Attorney staff also worked closely with members of Homeland Security during the investigation of this case.