Markham Lynch Sentenced for Marriage Fraud

          SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant MARKHAM LYNCH, age 52, from Tamuning, was sentenced today in District Court by Senior District Judge Alex R. Munson for Conspiracy to Commit Marriage Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Defendant LYNCH was sentenced to 50 hours of community service, two years probation, $8,500 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee.

          LYNCH and Jong Yun Kim conspired for LYNCH to illegally marry and petition for Kim’s girlfriend to receive a Permanent Resident Card and remain in the United States. LYNCH would receive $20,000 or more if the plan succeeded. At the time, Kim’s girlfriend was unlawfully present in the United States under the terms of the Guam Visa Waiver Program. LYNCH and Kim’s girlfriend were married in the Superior Court of Guam in 2014. LYNCH informed immigration officials that he and Kim’s girlfriend were living together when, in fact, they were not. Kim’s girlfriend had been residing with Kim since her entry into Guam.  LYNCH received $8,500 for the fraudulent marriage.  Kim was convicted earlier this year for his part in the scheme.

          U.S. Attorney Anderson stated, “The Guam Visa Waiver program allows the entry of certain foreign nationals for not more than 45 days for the limited purposes of business and tourism. The program has the potential to greatly benefit Guam’s economy. However, as demonstrated by this case, those admitted may use the program as a means to commit criminal offenses once on island. Abuse of the waiver system by foreign nationals or United States citizens risks its continued viability. Foreign nationals who are convicted of violating our immigration laws also risk deportation and being barred from future entry. Our office will assist Homeland Security Investigations at every opportunity to enforce federal immigration laws on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.”

          Special Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero prosecuted the case.