PLANT CITY, Fla. — A Plant City couple say they were defrauded of thousands of dollars by a man who claimed to be an immigration attorney.
- Lorenzo Aguilar, Josephina Ramos-Ramirez work as laborers
- Couple says they hired Elvis Reyes, 54, to help them with path to citizenship
- Reyes has spent time in prison for aggravated assault, grand theft, forgery
- More Hillsborough County stories
"When we started the process, he wanted half of the money up front, like $2,500 dollars,” said Aguilar through a translator. “And then after the fingerprints came back — that's when he would ask for the rest of the money.”
But after Reyes received the money, Aguilar didn't hear back.
“He stopped answering the phone,” he said. “We would continue to call him and he just would never answer the phone anymore.”
Aguilar and his common-law wife Josephina Ramos-Ramirez, who work as laborers, paid Reyes $5,000. It’s money they say they can't afford to lose.
The couple also has an infant son with a rare brain disorder who requires specialized treatment he can't get back in their native Mexico.
“I can't go back to our country because of the treatment that he needs,” said Ramirez. “And because of that is why we're having so much difficulty right now because I fear being deported.”
We reached out to Reyes and his church through phone calls and email. His mailbox is full and emails weren't returned.
According to online records, Reyes spent time in prison for aggravated assault, grand theft and forgery.
The couple has since hired Ananis Makar, an immigration attorney, based in Plant City.
“We've had quite a few people coming in telling us that somebody who is claiming to be an attorney have filed documents on their behalf,” said Makar.
Makar now represents three other clients who claim they were cheated by Reyes. She tells us Reyes also filed paperwork with the federal government on their behalf.
“It just makes (their case) a little more difficult,” said Makar. "To gain any kind of immigration status is already a challenge."
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into Reyes amid reports there could be 40 individuals allegedly defrauded by Reyes.
“People preying on our residents is unacceptable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Our job as a local law enforcement agency is to protect all people, regardless of their immigration status, from criminals looking to take advantage of them. We are looking into this case and working to bring those responsible to justice.”