DA: E. Patchogue Woman Scammed Undocumented Immigrants, Faces Hate Crime Charges

A 48-year-old East Patchogue woman has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly cheating undocumented immigrants out of the money they paid her to get their work visas or citizenship applications filed, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota announced Tuesday.

A joint investigation by the DA’s office, Suffolk County Police, and the Office of Homeland Security Investigations led to the arrest of Jexcy Solórzano–Cedeno of Lenox Avenue, Spota said.

Cedeno, who sometimes used the name of “Lorena Cabrera,” pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Tuesday before State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho.

Cedeno is charged with five hate crimes; third degree grand larceny as a hate crime and four charges of fourth degree grand larceny as a hate crime. She is also charged with scheme to defraud.

“The defendant met her victims through word of mouth and she’d lead them to believe that she worked with the police department, or that she was affiliated with attorneys who specialize in immigration cases,” Spota said. “She lied about having credentials and the expertise to help these people, some of whom were charged $2,500 for her “immigration services”, and, on one occasion we have evidence of, she charged as much as $5,000. Our investigation, with Homeland Security, established the defendant did nothing for the money.”

Justice Camacho set bail for Solórzano–Cedeno at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. She is incarcerated in the Suffolk County jail.

“Immigrants in search of the American dream should not have to fear being defrauded by con artists looking to make a quick buck,” said Glenn Sorge, acting special agent-in-charge HSI, New York. “This case shows that we will investigate all those committing fraud by preying on immigrants looking to become United States citizens.”