WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A former Fort Riley soldier has testified he was in a financial bind when he married a Jamaican immigrant so he could get more money from the military and she could get her green card.
The testimony came Tuesday in the federal trial of 28-year-old Shannakay Hunter in Wichita. Hunter, who lives in Bronx, New York, is charged with conspiracy, marriage fraud and making a false statement to the government.
Joshua Priest was an Army private stationed at Fort Riley when he and Hunter married in 2010. He has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.
Prosecutors say the marriage was never consummated.
The defense attacked the credibility of Priest’s testimony against Hunter, forcing him to admit numerous lies including some he made under oath.