Fact Sheet on Focus On Children Adoption Fraud CaseDepartment of Justice
Salt Lake City, UT
March 1, 2007
Brett L. Tolman, United States Attorney
District of Utah
Focus On Children Case Information
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Defendants:
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Scott Banks
Age 46
U.S. citizenship
Wellsville, Utah |
Dan Wakefield
Age 70
U.S. citizenship
Apia, Samoa |
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Karen Banks
Age 45
U.S. citizenship
Wellsville, Utah
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Tagaloa Ieti
Age 44
Samoan citizenship
Samoa |
Julie Tuiletufuga
Age unknown
Samoan citizenship
Samoa |
Coleen Bartlett
Age 40
U.S. citizenship
Evanston, Wyoming |
Karalee Thornock
Age 34
U.S. citizenship
Tooele, Utah |
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Charges :
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Potential Penalties:
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| Conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and visa fraud Up to 5 years; |
$250,000 fine |
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Conspiracy to commit money laundering
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Up to 20 years; $500,000 fine |
| Bringing in illegal aliens to the United States |
Up to 10 years; $250,000 fine |
| Encouraging/inducing illegal aliens to come to, enter, or reside in the United States |
Up to 10 years; $250,000 fine |
| Fraud and misuse of visas |
Up to 10 years; $250,000 fine |
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Money laundering (Laundering of monetary instruments)
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Up to 20 years; $500,000 fine |
| Money laundering (Transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity) |
Up to 10 years; $250,000 fine |
Defendants charged in federal indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.
CONTACT: MELODIE RYDALCH
801-325-3206
801-243-6475 (Cell)
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