CORONA — A Queens pastor who operated a storefront church in Corona admitted to scamming more than 100 immigrants out of more than $50,000 by promising to help them expedite various immigration-related matters, including getting them U.S. visas, the Queens district attorney said Tuesday.
Gregario Gonzalez, 57, of Mamoroneck, L.I., pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny before acting Supreme Court Justice Pauline A. Mullings Jan. 12 and is expected to be sentenced to two to six years in prison Jan. 26, the DA said. Following the prison sentence, Gonzalez is slated to be deported, the DA said.
Gonzalez met with the victims at various Queens locations, including his church, Iglesia Pentecostal Roca de Salvacion Eterna, between April 1, 2008, and Oct. 31, 2008. Gonzalez, his sister and another individual, Gerardo Bello, promised the victims U.S. visas and permanent immigration status for various fees, usually ranging from $6,000 to $10,000, the DA said.
Gonzalez’s sister, Maria Gonzalez, pleaded guilty in September and was sentenced five years’ probation. Bello, 22, also pleaded guilty in September and was sentenced to two to six years in prison. He also is expected to be deported upon his release.
