Feds break up alleged fake marriage ring

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 14 (UPI) -- Twelve people have been arrested in Texas on federal charges of arranging fake marriages between U.S. citizens and foreigners seeking to become legal residents.

Federal authorities say Maria Refugia Camarillo, 70, was the ringleader of a three-generation family fraud ring that was paid between $10,000 and $12,000 to arrange a marriage, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Wednesday.

After the ceremony, immigrants were able to apply for legal permanent residency that would allow them to remain in the United States indefinitely.

The 29-count federal indictment returned in the case says the ring falsified Social Security numbers and other documents that were presented to immigration officials as valid.

The indictment said one of the defendants, Diana DeLeon, 34, was married at least 24 times.

Camarillo, DeLeon and 10 co-conspirators made an initial court appearance Tuesday and were released on bond. Four others indicted in the case were still at large.