A Washington state man who ran a fraud scheme targeting immigrant families in Yonkers has been sentenced.
On Monday, Juan Cedillo was sentenced for one to three years in state prison. He also owes $51,000 in restitution and is unable to contact the victims.
The scheme began in 2013.
Cedillo falsely told families that he could expedite their citizenship, costing them thousands of dollars.
He was apprehended back in 2019.
He was released in 2020 and had virtual court. However, he went on the run for years after the judge ordered him to appear in person again.
He was eventually apprehended in Washington State.
Cedillo pleaded guilty in early June to one count of first-degree fraud.
A Westchester County judge informed him Monday that he preyed on the most defenseless.
“You took advantage of their strong desire to live the great American dream,” the Honorable Maurice Williams stated.
Cedillo’s lawyer told News 12 that his client has already served a significant portion of the sentence.
“He’s pretty much served all of his time, so he should be out relatively soon,” says Cedillo’s lawyer, Richard Ferrante.
There is no word on how soon that will happen.