3 charged in $564K immigration-services fraud targeting Spanish-language churches; 25 victims, ICE threats alleged
Three people — Kira Romero Pinto, Denis Aquino Martinez and Luis Leiva Aquino — have been charged in a scheme that allegedly swindled about $563,700 from at least 25 victims, primarily Spanish-speaking churchgoers in the Twin Cities, by promising expedited citizenship through a fictitious attorney named “Isabella Jason” and threatening to call ICE on anyone who reported the scheme. Authorities say personal documents were seized, one defendant faces a racketeering charge, known Washington County losses exceed $118,000, the case is being prosecuted jointly by Washington and Dakota counties, and all three remain jailed with bail set at $500,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively.
📌 Key Facts
- Three people — Kira Romero Pinto, Denis Aquino Martinez and Luis Leiva Aquino — were charged in an immigration-services fraud; bail was set at $500,000 for Romero Pinto, $100,000 for Denis Aquino Martinez and $75,000 for Luis Leiva Aquino, and all three remain jailed.
- Prosecutors say the scheme targeted Spanish‑language churchgoers (recruitment at services in Inver Grove Heights and Woodbury), who were asked to pay cash and sign contracts for immigration help; at least 25 victims were identified, including seven Washington County residents.
- Total alleged take is about $563,700 (reported as $564K in some accounts); known losses to Washington County victims exceed $118,000.
- Specific victim payments cited include $48,000 by one victim, $40,000 by a couple, $22,000 for a citizenship case, and three victims who each paid $19,700.
- Defendants allegedly used a fictitious attorney name, “Isabella Jason,” to promise expedited citizenship and threatened to call ICE on churchgoers who reported the scheme.
- Prosecutors say the fraud included other false offers — a $12,000 “gold card” pitched to a pastor to help others gain citizenship and deposits solicited for promised restaurant jobs.
- Law enforcement executed a search warrant in Lake Elmo and recovered personal documents (Social Security cards, IDs, passports, insurance papers).
- Kira Romero Pinto faces an additional racketeering charge; the case was filed in Washington County and is being prosecuted jointly by the Washington County and Dakota County attorney offices. Court records quoted Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson condemning the exploitation; initial court records show no defense attorneys listed.
📰 Sources (4)
Three charged in $500K fraud scheme that offered ‘expedited citizenship’ through fake attorney
New information:
- Scheme allegedly used a fictitious attorney name, “Isabella Jason,” to promise expedited citizenship.
- Article specifies that charges were filed in Washington County and court proceedings will be held there.
Immigration services fraud: 3 accused of swindling $500K from Spanish-speaking congregations
New information:
- At least 25 victims identified, including seven Washington County residents.
- Known loss to Washington County victims exceeds $118,000.
- Defendants allegedly threatened to call ICE on churchgoers who reported the scheme.
- Personal documents (SS cards, IDs, passports, insurance papers) were recovered during a Lake Elmo search warrant.
- Total alleged take specified as about $563,700.
- Kira Romero Pinto is additionally charged with racketeering.
- Case being prosecuted jointly by Washington County and Dakota County attorney offices.
- Quoted statement from Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson condemning the exploitation.
Prosecutors say immigration scheme snared victims in Spanish-language Twin Cities churches
New information:
- Bail set at $500,000 for Kira Romero Pinto, $100,000 for Denis Aquino Martinez, and $75,000 for Luis Leiva Aquino; all three remain jailed.
- Fictitious attorney name identified as “Isabella Jason,” allegedly created by Romero Pinto to deceive victims.
- Recruitment alleged primarily at Spanish-language church services in Inver Grove Heights and Woodbury; victims asked to pay cash and sign contracts.
- Specific victim payment examples: $48,000 by one victim; $40,000 by a couple; $22,000 for a citizenship case; three victims paid $19,700 each.
- Alleged $12,000 “gold card” pitched to a pastor as a way to help others gain citizenship; deposits sought for promised restaurant jobs.
- Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson quoted condemning exploitation of immigrant communities; court records currently show no defense attorneys listed.