Fact Sheet on Focus On Children Adoption Fraud Case
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Fact Sheet on Focus On Children Adoption Fraud Case
Department of Justice
Salt Lake City, UT
March 1, 2007
Brett L. Tolman, United States Attorney
District of Utah
Focus On Children Case Information
Defendants:
Scott Banks
Age 46
U.S. citizenship
Wellsville, Utah
Dan Wakefield
Age 70
U.S. citizenship
Apia, Samoa
Karen Banks
Age 45
U.S. citizenship
Wellsville, Utah
Tagaloa Ieti
Age 44
Samoan citizenship
Samoa
Coleen Bartlett
Age 40
U.S. citizenship
Evanston, Wyoming
Julie Tuiletufuga
Age unknown
Samoan citizenship
Samoa
Karalee Thornock
Age 34
U.S. citizenship
Tooele, Utah
Charges :
Conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and visa fraud Up to 5 years;
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Potential Penalties:
$250,000 fine
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
Money laundering (Laundering of monetary instruments)
Money laundering (Transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity)
Up to 20 years; $500,000 fine
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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Fact Sheet on Focus On Children Adoption Fraud Case
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file:///C|/Users/Owner/Documents/Brandeis/Schuster/Adoption/Subpages/Recd%2...cs/Samoa/DOS_fact_sheet_on_Focus_on_Children_Adoption_Fraud_Case_3-1-07.htm (2 of 2) [2/1/2009 8:21:01 AM]