by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 14 – 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."
More details on Substack here
The case is US v. Montrage, 22-cr-617 (Oetken)
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
