Ex-Beach officer in marriage fraud case

NORFOLK, Va. - A former Virginia Beach police officer pleaded guilty in federal court in Norfolk Monday for his role in a marriage fraud case.
The 10-year veteran officer, who had been promoted to precinct detective, confessed that he helped facilitate a bogus marriage between a Navy sailor and a Russian woman.

In court Andrey Savelyev, who became a Virginia Beach officer in 1999, was sort of the brawn in the organization that went after sailors like Nathan Wicker. Court documents show the former officer admitted Wicker was paid $6,000 to marry a Russian woman in 2005.

Two weeks later, Wicker found out seven sailors from the USS Eisenhower were arrested for similar marriage fraud. According to court records, Wicker immediately wanted a divorce to avoid a felony conviction. The sailor later told FBI agents that he was threatened by a Russian speaking Virginia Beach police officer, later identified as Savelyev.

So, the sailor decided to stay in the fraudulent marriage. In court, Savelyev confessed he used his position as a 3rd Precinct detective to intimidate the sailor.

Norfolk attorney, Charles Best, III, who handles immigration cases, told WAVY.com the motive behind these types of marriage scams is money.

"Navy sailors can get additional money from the Navy if they're a married person and in addition to that they get a payment from the bride to sponsor the paperwork to bring the bride over to the United States permanently," said Best.

And the foreign bride, in these cases, is usually trying to avoid the expensive and lengthy process of coming to the U.S. legally.

"It might take 3-6 months to get permanent residency through marriage to a U.S. citizen, whereas through a normal job offer type situation, it could take a year or two years or even longer," said Best.

Savelyev is free on bond as he awaits formal sentencing on March 1.