Woman Sentenced To Six Months In Prison For Visa Fraud Scheme

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of YURIDIA HERNANDEZ LINARES, 36, to six months in prison for conspiracy to commit visa fraud. LINARES was sentenced today by Chief Judge John R. Tunheim, in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After LINARES serves her prison sentence she will be removed from the United States to Mexico.

According to LINARES’ guilty plea and documents filed with the court, between August 20, 2019, and September 30, 2019, LINARES conspired with other individuals to defraud the United States by making false statements to fraudulently obtain U Nonimmigrant Visas (“U-Visas”), for four individuals. Victims of certain criminal activities that occur in the United States may be eligible to apply for and obtain a U Visa. A victim who obtains a U Visa may subsequently apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust their status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

According to LINARES’ guilty plea and documents filed with the court, LINARES devised and participated in a detailed scheme, whereby the four individuals each falsely reported to the Eden Prairie Police Department that they were victims of robberies committed in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. LINARES directed the individuals to file a police report stating that they were a victim of a fabricated assault, and to corroborate each other’s account of the assault. LINARES used a box cutter or other sharp object to cut the four individuals before they filed their false report with the Eden Prairie Police Department.  In exchange, LINARES collected a $2,000 fee from each individual.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Eden Prairie Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela M. Munoz and Emily A. Polachek prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

YURIDIA HERNANDEZ LINARES, 36

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to commit visa fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 6 months in prison
• Removal from the United States to Mexico following the defendant’s prison sentence

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600