After five years of litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP secured a time-served sentence for their client Marissa Duenas, a human resources administrator for a Philippines-based church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

The government alleged that Ms. Duenas was involved in a wide-ranging conspiracy tied to her role as an administrator at KOJC’s Van Nuys church location. Ms. Duenas was facing a 42-count federal indictment, including charges of forced labor, immigration fraud, and money laundering, among others. Based on the heavy-handed charges, a magistrate ordered Ms. Duenas detained before her representation by BKLW. Once on the case, BKLW secured her release from pretrial custody, but not until she had spent several months in detention.

Ms. Duenas ultimately pleaded guilty only to a single count of marriage fraud. In her plea agreement, Ms. Duenas admitted that she assisted fellow KOJC members in obtaining immigration status through arranged marriages. All her remaining charges were dismissed.

“Ms. Duenas admitted engaging in marriage fraud but lives devoutly and enriched herself in no way. It is gratifying to see her remaining charges dismissed, as they should be,” said her attorney, Ryan Fraser.

Federal prosecutors sought a 21-month prison sentence for Ms. Duenas. But United States District Judge Terry Hatter sided with defense counsel John Littrell, who argued that Ms. Duenas had dedicated her entire life to service to God and the KOJC, and that she should not be subjected to any more prison time. Judge Hatter sentenced her to time served.

"Marissa’s patience and courage throughout this ordeal were unlike anything I had ever seen before,” said Managing Partner John Littrell. “I am grateful to Judge Hatter for seeing Marissa for who she is and doing justice in light of all of the circumstances.”

In addition to BKLW Partners Thomas H. Bienert, Jr., and John Littrell and James Riddet, Of Counsel, the defense team included Senior Attorney Ryan Fraser, Paralegals Garrison Giali and Leah Thompson, and Project Assistant Michelle Dillon.

Read more:

• Anti-child trafficking rescuer dismissed with prejudice from alleged abuse case, bklwlaw.com
• Ninth Circuit publishes opinion reversing conviction of BKLW partner's client in criminal immigration case, bklwlaw.com
• BKLW secures dismissal of all charges in alleged human trafficking case five days into trial, bklwlaw.com