by Jacksonville, Florida — Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging 11 individuals in what authorities describe as a wide-ranging marriage fraud and bribery scheme that allegedly targeted U.S. Navy sailors to help foreign nationals unlawfully obtain legal immigration status.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the defendants are accused of orchestrating sham marriages between U.S. service members and Chinese nationals in exchange for cash payments, while also attempting to corrupt military identification processes at a major naval installation.
Alleged Scheme Exploited Military Status
Federal officials said the group specifically targeted active-duty and reserve Navy personnel, using their military status to fast-track immigration benefits for foreign nationals.
Prosecutors allege the defendants arranged weddings across Florida and several other states, presenting the unions as legitimate marriages to immigration authorities.
To maintain the appearance of genuine relationships, investigators say the group staged:
- Romantic photo shoots
- Wedding ceremonies
- Fabricated relationship histories
Each U.S. citizen spouse allegedly received multiple payments, including:
- Cash at the wedding
- Additional money once a green card was approved
- A final payment after the couple divorced
Bribery Plot at Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Authorities say the scheme began to unravel after a reported bribery attempt at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
According to the indictment, Navy reservist Raymond Zumba allegedly attempted to bribe a personnel office employee to issue unauthorized Department of Defense identification cards in exchange for cash.
“This investigation revealed a deliberate effort to undermine both immigration laws and military security systems,” U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe said while announcing the indictment.
Federal officials said the bribery attempt triggered a broader investigation into the marriage fraud operation.
Sting Operation Led to Arrests
After identifying the suspected scheme, law enforcement agencies launched a sting operation.
On February 13, 2025, prosecutors allege Zumba drove from New York to Jacksonville with several co-conspirators, including Anny Chen, Hailing Feng, and Kin Man Cheok.
According to court documents, Zumba attended an hours-long meeting at the NAS Jacksonville personnel office, where he allegedly handed over $3,500 in cash in exchange for fraudulent military IDs.
Zumba was arrested shortly after the transaction.
Multiple Defendants Have Already Pleaded Guilty
Federal prosecutors confirmed that Zumba and three other Navy members have already pleaded guilty in connection with the case.
Those individuals include:
- Raymond Zumba
- Brinio Urena
- Morgan Chambers
- Jacinth Bailey
Their guilty pleas significantly advanced the investigation and helped authorities identify additional participants in the alleged conspiracy.
List of Defendants Named in Indictment
The unsealed indictment names the following defendants, many of whom face up to five years in federal prison if convicted:
- Anny Chen, 54, New York
- Sha Xie, 38, China
- Linlin Wang, 38, China
- Jiawei Chen, 29, China
- Yafeng Deng, 23, New York
- Hailing Feng, 27, New York
- Kiah Holly, 29, Maryland
- Xionghu Fang, 41, China
- Tao Fan, 26, China
- Jaden Bullion, 24, Florida
- Kin Man Cheok, 32, China
Prosecutors allege each defendant played a role in either recruiting participants, arranging marriages, handling payments, or facilitating fraudulent documentation.
Joint Federal Investigation
The case is the result of a joint investigation involving:
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal authorities emphasized that exploiting members of the armed forces for immigration fraud poses national security concerns, particularly when military identification systems are compromised.
Case Continues in Federal Court
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Prosecutors say the case remains active, and additional proceedings are expected in the coming months.
Officials warned that similar schemes may exist elsewhere and urged service members to report suspicious offers or financial incentives tied to marriage or immigration benefits.
Should penalties be harsher for schemes that exploit military service for immigration fraud? Share your thoughts in the comments.
