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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 1 – A Ghana-based influencer was hit with a six-count Indictment charging MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in a series of romance schemes and for laundering the proceeds of those schemes.  MONTRAGE was arrested in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the United Kingdom on May 12, 2023. 

MONTRAGE was to be presented before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty -- Inner City Press was there, thread here

On May 24, the executed bond was docketed. The co-signers are Hashimiyu Haruna, Fatahia Chung and Ayisheto Al Hassan...

On October 6, the pre-trial conference was pushed back a month.

On November 8, Montrage's new lawyer wrote in and asked for another 60 days.

On February 21, 2024, guilty plea: "guilty plea today of MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in laundering the proceeds of a series of romance scams.  MONTRAGE pled guilty today to conspiracy to receive stolen money before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  MONTRAGE also agreed to pay forfeiture in the amount of $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount."

On February 27 the US Attorney's Office filed Montrage's plea agreement, which says she will not appeal any sentence at or below 46 months. Plea agreement on Patreon here.

On March 7, the case now re-assigned to Judge J. Paul Oetken was set down for sentencing before Judge Oetken on June 3: "NOTICE as to Mona Faiz Montrage: Sentencing is adjourned to June 3, 2024 at 2:30 pm in Courtroom 706 of 40 Foley Square. Defendant's sentencing submission is due by May 20, 2024, and the Government's by May 27, 2023."

But on May 15 Montrage's lawyer asked for more time for letters and her immigration lawyer on consequences of her conviction; then "Sentencing is adjourned to June 28, 2024 at 2:00pm. Defendant's sentencing submission is due June 14, 2024. The Government's sentencing submission is due June 21, 2024. SO ORDERED (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 5/16/24)."

On June 14, Montage's lawyer wrote in that "a probationary sentence would have been appropriate" but since that would lead to immediate detention by US ICE then deportation, "accordingly the Defense submitted that a sentence of three months incarceration is sufficient."

On June 21 the US Attorney's Office wrote in, citing media coverage in Ghana, and asked for 37 months to send a message.

On June 28, Inner City Press attended the entire sentencing, thread:

Judge: The guideline is 37 to 46 months. Assistant US Attorney: The victims were vulnerable senior citizens. Some were promised marriage; they sent and lost money. Middlemen received 10%.  AUSA: Defendant participated in this scheme fir six years. 32 victims lost $1.4 million. Meanwhile Ms. Montrage reinvented herself in Ghana. 

Judge: She blames an abusive former boyfriend. AUSA: He was arrested and deported. She continued. One victim confronted her...  Judge: She will be deported. Defense lawyer: 3 months incarceration would be enough. She didn't know the money going into her account was from romance fraud. Judge: She created multiple bank accounts. 

Defense: She's never before disclosed her abuse by her ex boyfriend. Montrage: I want to pay them back. I feel shame as a mother of an 8 year-old daughter. [Sobs] Please have mercy on me. 

AUSA: She started opening these accounts at different banks at an earlier time. Many in Ghana are following this case. General deterrence is needed Defense: Victim-1 tracked her from her instagram photos - her video had a voice dubbed over, Victim-1 was catfished 

Judge: I sentence Ms Montrage to one year and one day in prison, the extra day to allow "good time."

Defense: We propose she be allowed to fly back to Ghana as soon as she is released, with no ICE detention AUSA: We consent

Adjourned

On November 1 Judge Oetken approved defense counsel's request to get Montrage's passport back for her self-deportation once released from FDC Philadelphia.

More details on Substack here

The case is US v. Montrage, 22-cr-617 (Oetken)

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