San Diego

The FBI and the Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested five Vietnamese in San Diego on Monday in connection with an attempt to acquire citizenship illegally.

The suspects were identified as Tuan Anh Nguyen, 35, Kia Tran, 31, Huong Ngoc Tran, Ha To Tang and Trinh Nguyet Vien. Nguyen, the alleged ringleader, is “the predominant Vietnamese interpreter for local and federal courts in San Diego,” according to FBI spokesman Gary Laturno.

Nguyen is a U.S. citizen, the other four are not, authorities said.

The investigation began in February when Nguyen allegedly contacted Estela Stachowitz, an INS immigration examiner, and offered her an unspecified amount of money to secure illegal citizenship. On May 12 and again on June 2, Nguyen allegedly paid Stachowitz $500 to secure false citizenship papers. After allegedly offering Stachowitz $885 to hasten the issuance of citizenship papers, Nguyen, Tang and Vien were arrested at noon Monday. The Trans were arrested later in the that afternoon.

The five face a maximum penalty of $250,000 and five years imprisonment. They are being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center and are scheduled to be arraigned today before a magistrate.

Nguyen was born in Saigon, came to the United States in 1975 and has been a naturalized citizen since 1982. He is owner of Suzi’s Market on 30th Street, according to the FBI.