US prosecutors seek lighter sentence for paralegal in KOJC immigration case

NEW YORK — Citing her contribution to help prosecute the administrators of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in the United States, federal prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence for Maria De Leon, a paralegal and notary who allegedly processed fraudulent immigration documents for the religious group's members.

According to court filings at the United States District Court for the Central District of California, De Leon admitted participating in a conspiracy from 2013 to January 2020 involving fraudulent marriages and immigration filings intended to help KOJC members remain in the United States illegally.

Prosecutors said the scheme involved sham marriages arranged by co-defendants Guia Cabactulan, Amanda Estopare, and Marissa Duenas between KOJC members and US citizens for immigration purposes.

De Leon, a non-member of the religious group who owned and operated Liberty Legal Document Service in Los Angeles, processed immigration paperwork for KOJC members and filed at least nine fraudulent I-130 immigration petitions despite allegedly knowing, or having reason to believe, that the marriages were not legitimate.

Court records also stated that she notarized at least three divorce petitions without the individuals being physically present before her, as required by law.

Federal prosecutors also filed a motion seeking a five-level downward departure under federal sentencing guidelines, citing De Leon's substantial cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of other defendants in the case. Authorities said De Leon participated in multiple meetings with investigators, provided useful information about the operation of the scheme, and agreed to testify.

The government said her cooperation was truthful, timely, and valuable in helping prosecute "more culpable defendants."

The US Probation Office initially calculated a sentencing guideline range of 10 to 16 months and recommended one year of probation. However, prosecutors argued that the proper guideline range should instead be 0 to 6 months because the plea agreement involved only nine fraudulent immigration petitions, below the threshold required for a six-level sentencing enhancement tied to the number of fraudulent documents involved.

Prosecutors are asking the court to impose a sentence of time served, no supervision following release, and a $100 special assessment fee.

The court is scheduled to hear the government's sentencing recommendation for Maria De Leon on May 18, 2026.

Quiboloy's camp previously said De Leon was not connected nor affiliated with the KOJC, nor with the religious leader officially or personally. — VDV, GMA News