Texan gets prison for arranging sham marriages

McALLEN, Texas — A South Texas woman has been sentenced to two years in prison for arranging more than 30 bogus marriages for immigrants wanting to live in the U.S.

Federal prosecutors in McAllen say 77-year-old Sandy Botello Ramirez of Edinburg arranged fake marriages since 2002. She was convicted of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.

Prosecutors on Friday said Botello relied on recruiters to help her find U.S. citizens to enter into the fake marriages for profit. One recruiter, Celia Carranza-Palacios, was convicted and sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Botello remains free on bond following her sentencing Thursday and must report to prison at a date to be determined.

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