United States v. Helaman Hansen

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Between at least October 2012 and September 2016, Hansen operated an organization called Americans Helping America Chamber of Commerce (“AHA”). AHA ran a program that purported to help undocumented immigrants become U.S. citizens through adult adoption (the “Program”). Hansen falsely told victims that many immigrants had become U.S. citizens through the Program. However, Hansen admitted to federal agents that no one had achieved U.S. citizenship through the Program, and it is not possible to become a U.S. citizen through adult adoption. Counts 17 and 18 were based on Hansen twice encouraging or inducing victims to overstay their visas.

1 In a separate memorandum disposition filed simultaneously with this opinion, we affirm all other counts of conviction.

UNITED STATES V. HANSEN

In Spring 2017, a jury found Hansen guilty of twelve counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and two counts of encouraging or inducing unlawful immigration for private financial gain. The trial lasted eleven days and thirty-seven witnesses testified; witnesses included victims, former employees, investigators, and Hansen (who testified…