PLAINFIELD — A former Salvation Army pastor found guilty of stealing thousands of dollars from immigrants in exchange for green cards was sentenced today to 18 years in state prison, said Ann Rubin, Union County assistant prosecutor. Enoc "Tito" Sotelo, 51, was convicted in January of 17 counts of theft by deception and one count of conspiracy to commit...
Enoc "Tito" SoteloPLAINFIELD — A former Salvation Army pastor found guilty of stealing thousands of dollars from immigrants in exchange for green cards was sentenced today to 18 years in state prison, said Ann Rubin, Union County assistant prosecutor.
Enoc "Tito" Sotelo, 51, was convicted in January of 17 counts of theft by deception and one count of conspiracy to commit theft. His wife Vereli Sotelo, 37, was convicted of six counts of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and sentenced today to six years in state prison, Rubin said.
Sotelo was accused of running a scheme where he would promise illegal immigrants that he would help them obtain green cards through a Florida attorney named Oscar Ruiz. He collected about $4,000 from each victim between December 2004 and February 2006, and told them $500 would go to the Salvation Army, according to an investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
None of the money went to the charity, and none of the victims received a green card.
The sentence handed down by Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph Perfilio was harsher than the one she had originally asked for, Rubin said, but added that she felt it was fair.
"On behalf of the victims, we are grateful for the sentences imposed," she said.
Enoc Sotelo will file an appeal, said Michael Noriega, an attorney for the former pastor.
Sotelo, who maintains his innocence, says he was also taken advantage of by organizers in Florida, Noriega said. The Sotelos have 45 days to file an appeal.
Previous coverage:
• Ex-Salvation Army pastor, wife are convicted of stealing from immigrants by promising green cards
• Former Plainfield pastor accused of defrauding immigrants with promises of green cards