Minnesota - United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of PISANU SUKHTIPYAROGE, a/k/a “Pat,” 72, owner of the Royal Orchid Restaurant, to 42 months in prison for visa fraud and alien harboring. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in July 2015, SUKHTIPYAROGE assisted in the procurement of an F-1 student visa for an individual identified as A.M., a citizen of the Dominican Republic whom the defendant met and befriended. At the time, SUKHTIPYAROGE was very familiar with the F-1 student visa process and knew that an F-1 student visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that does not permit employment in the United States. SUKHTIPYAROGE used false statements in preparing the visa application and instructed A.M. as to what he should and should not say during the visa interview.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, October 19, 2015, upon arrival in the United States, A.M. lived with the defendant and the defendant’s family in Maplewood and attended Edison High School until May 2016. At some point during this time, A.M. began living and working at the Royal Orchid Restaurant in Columbia Heights. At the restaurant, A.M. was subjected to poor living and working conditions. SUKHTIPYAROGE told A.M. he would be paid $500 per month in cash for his labor; however, A.M. did not receive the promised pay each month, as SUKHTIPYAROGE deducted the costs incurred in bringing A.M. to the United States in a debt bondage scheme. A.M. also worked at SUKHTIPYAROGE’S home in Maplewood without pay. SUKHTIPYAROGE admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with A.M. shortly after he brought A.M. to the United States.

SUKHTIPYAROGE has also been charged in Anoka County with one felony count of third degree criminal sexual conduct and one felony count of labor trafficking.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/columbia-heights-restaurant-owner-sentenced-42-months-prison-visa-fraud-and-harboring