Opinion ID: 4576560
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Kroytor’s conviction

Text: Kroytor became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 1995, and within five years he owned a medical-supply company. In August 2003, a grand jury indicted Kroytor for health care fraud and aiding and abetting the same in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1347(a)(1),(2). Kroytor’s defense attorney knew he was a noncitizen and nonetheless urged him to plead guilty without advising him that a conviction could have adverse immigration consequences. Kroytor learned for the first time at his plea colloquy that his conviction could result in his being removed from the United States. After his plea but before his sentencing, Kroytor hired defense attorney Daniel Behesnilian. Kroytor asked Behesnilian how his conviction would affect his immigration status and whether he would be removed. Behesnilian told Kroytor that it was too late to change his guilty plea but that he could keep immigration authorities from finding out about his conviction if he paid his restitution before sentencing and was not sentenced to jail time. According to Behesnilian, this would allow Kroytor to avoid any adverse immigration consequences from his conviction, including removal. Kroytor paid his restitution before sentencing and was sentenced to probation with no jail time, which he completed without incident. UNITED STATES V. KROYTOR 5