East Patchogue woman indicted on charges she cheated immigrants, authorities said

An East Patchogue woman was indicted on charges that she took as much as $5,000 from immigrants who entered the country illegally but did nothing to get them work visas or citizenship papers, authorities said Tuesday.

Jexcy Solórzano-Cedeno, 48, pleaded not guilty at arraignment to scheme to defraud, third-degree grand larceny as a hate crime and four counts of fourth-degree grand larceny as a hate crime. Solórzano-Cedeno, who also used the name Lorena Cabrera, was arrested after an investigation by the Suffolk District Attorney's office and the U.S. Office of Homeland Security Investigations.

She was "preying" on immigrants because she did not have the credentials to help them, even though she led them to believe she was working with the police department or immigration attorneys, authorities said. She met her clients through word-of-mouth, officials said, and sometimes charged $2,500 but as much as $5,000, officials said.

"Immigrants in search of the American dream should not have to fear being defrauded by con artists looking to make a quick buck," said Glenn Sorge, acting special agent-in-charge of the New York office of homeland security investigations. "This case shows that we will investigate all those committing fraud by preying on immigrants looking to become United States citizens."

Solórzano-Cedeno was held in jail Tuesday pending a bail of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. She is also charged with scheme to defraud. It was not immediately clear Tuesday night if she had an attorney.