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Off to war, rather than prison, for military marriage scammer

By Douglas A. Berman

A helpful reader sent me this notable local sentencing story, which is headlined "After marriage fraud, soldier will serve in Afghanistan, not in prison."  Here are the basics: A former Fort Bragg soldier who married a Russian woman in order to get her into the United States and claim higher benefits for himself was sentenced to probation Monday for the fraud. Robert L. Cooper, lawyer for Stephen Schneider, argued that his client has been recalled to military service in Afghanistan and could only do so if he was not serving time.  The judge agreed and sentenced Schneider to five years probation. Schneider pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.  Authorities said Schneider and another man, Sgt. Wesly Farris, 23, each married Russian women in order to get higher pay and move off post...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on January 06, 2010 (boomark / email).