Time-Served Sentence Secured In High-Profile Federal Immigration Fraud Case
Sunset Blvd. Investigations (SBI) were hired by Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP with Steve Polak as their chief investigator. The SBI team first began working the case in February 2020 which concluded in June 2025.
The article below can be found at the Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams website: https://bklwlaw.com/time-served-sentence-secured-in-high-profile-federal-immigration-fraud-case/
After five years of litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP secured a time-served sentence for their client Marissa Duenas, a human resources administrator for a Philippines-based church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
The government alleged that Ms. Duenas was involved in a wide-ranging conspiracy tied to her role as an administrator at KOJC’s Van Nuys church location. Ms. Duenas was facing a 42-count federal indictment, including charges of forced labor, immigration fraud, and money laundering, among others. Based on the heavy-handed charges, a magistrate ordered Ms. Duenas detained before her representation by BKLW. Once on the case, BKLW secured her release from pretrial custody, but not until she had spent several months in detention.
Ms. Duenas ultimately pleaded guilty only to a single count of marriage fraud. In her plea agreement, Ms. Duenas admitted that she assisted fellow KOJC members in obtaining immigration status through arranged marriages. All her remaining charges were dismissed.
Federal prosecutors sought a 21-month prison sentence for Ms. Duenas. But United States District Judge Terry Hatter sided with defense counsel John Littrell, who argued that Ms. Duenas had dedicated her entire life to service to God and the KOJC, and that she should not be subjected to any more prison time. Judge Hatter sentenced her to time served.
In addition to BKLW Partners Thomas H. Bienert, Jr., and John Littrell and James Riddet, Of Counsel, the defense team included Senior Attorney Ryan Fraser, Paralegals Garrison Giali and Leah Thompson, and Project Assistant Michelle Dillon.
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- World Association of Detectives (WAD) https://www.wad.net/
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