Second man convicted in marriage scheme

PORTLAND — A Saco man has been found guilty of marriage fraud, accused of helping another man marry a Lewiston woman so he could become a U.S. citizen.

Ronald Serunjogi, 35, was convicted of marriage fraud conspiracy Wednesday following a jury trial in U.S. District Court.

Investigators said Serunjogi and Sampson Sengoonzi, both Ugandan nationals, paid money to a Lewiston woman who agreed to marry Sengoonzi so he could seek to become a lawful, permanent resident of the United States.

Serunjogi assisted Sengoonzi in preparing submissions to immigration authorities in support of Sengoonzi’s application for permanent resident status, according to testimony.

Immigration authorities detected the fraud, denied Sengoonzi’s application and referred the matter for a criminal investigation. Sengoonzi was previously convicted and sentenced for his role in the scheme and has been ordered deported.

Serunjogi faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentencing investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations directorate.