Hemet couple sentenced for tricking woman into returning to Philippines
A Hemet man who tricked a woman into returning to her native Philippines by pretending to be a U.S. marshal serving a deportation order was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison.
His wife, who aided in the ruse, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns to five years probation and mental health counseling.
The pair had pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to impersonating federal officers.
Gregory Raymond Denny Jr., 38, and his wife, Karen Denny, 52, showed up at the victim's home in Hemet in January of last year. With Gregory Denny pretending to be a marshal, the couple put handcuffs on Cherriebelle Magada Gabalonos Hibbard, 28, who is married to Denny's cousin.
Still pretending to be a U.S. marshal, Denny tried to persuade Border Patrol agents to take Hibbard, an illegal immigrant, into custody. After they refused, Denny and his wife drove her to Los Angeles International Airport and escorted her onto a flight to Manila.
Once Denny is released from prison, he is barred from being employed in any law enforcement or security jobs, according to the terms of his probation. Denny had worked as a bail agent.
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-- Tony Perry in San Diego
Photo: Raymond Denny Jr. Credit: Hemet Police Department
EDITOR'S PICKS:
It is sad to see that nativism still exist today. Why can't immigrants be allowed to actually live peacefully while staying in America? America is a country based on immigrants looking for a better life. I just dont understand what the problem is.
Posted by: serene | January 26, 2011 at 09:20 PM
@serene racism is the problem. fat redneck slobs make themselves feel better by picking on hard working immigrants
Posted by: axper13 | January 26, 2011 at 09:51 PM
It appears they didn't like the guy's cousin marrying a Filipino lady and wanted her out of the picture. Damn shame.
Posted by: Rick | January 26, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Citizens answer Obama's call for greater volunteerism. Result, an undocumented immigrant gets deported by undocumented immigration officers.
Posted by: Micha Elyi | January 26, 2011 at 10:57 PM
@serene: "Why can't immigrants be allowed to actually live peacefully while staying in America? "
Umm, they are, and they do. They apply for immigration before they come, filling out documents for a visa, are vetted by the proper authority, and then they come in and live peacefully.
The issue is those who do not apply, or do not wait in line.
Duh?
Posted by: Olden Atwoody | January 26, 2011 at 11:57 PM
Immigration is not the issue here. They impersonated federal officers, and he also presented himself to Border Patrol Agents as a federal officer. That is a crime. These two are criminals and they should be punished.
Posted by: Ginger C | January 27, 2011 at 11:33 AM
@ Olden Atwoody...LOL, well said!
Posted by: westsidejesse | January 27, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Somebody should trick this guy in going back to europe.
Posted by: Ray | January 27, 2011 at 01:13 PM
I want him to head up DHS
Posted by: Mike G. | January 27, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Pretending to be US. Marshals and forcing the girl back to the Philippines was just wrong. They do not have the right to do so. But now, the girl is not innocent either. She is an illegal immigrant therefore, she definitely had to go back to the Philippines either way. If she wanted to stay here peacefully, she should've done it the legal way, get herself documented. I do agree with @Olden Atwoody. Your life is much peaceful here in the US when you are not hiding anything from the law.
Posted by: maid | January 28, 2011 at 08:57 AM