Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/19/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Diana Gomez Deputy District Attorneys: Amy Ariyoshi & Jaime Ballard

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY CONVICTS DEFENDANT ON 10 COUNTS OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that Ramon Rodriguez was convicted by jury yesterday of ten counts of grand theft by false pretenses in regards to his position as an immigration consultant. The jury also found that he was previously convicted of committing a 1984 robbery in Sacramento County, a strike offense.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "This prosecution exemplifies our commitment to ensuring all victims' of crime receive equal justice in our courts, regardless of their status in this country."

The prosecution alleged that between 1997 and 2003, Mr. Rodriguez defrauded his victims by charging them large sums of money, and promising them that he would obtain legal residency status on their behalf. When he took their money Mr. Rodriguez either knew that the victims did not qualify for legal residency or failed to inquire if they met the requirements for legal residency. The victims, who were not aware of California laws and regulations regarding the proper procedures to obtain legal residency, gave him a total of approximately $20,000 and were denied the status they sought.

Mr. Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable Rene Chouteau on November 19, 2007.