According to criminal complaints filed in Washington County, Kira Milany Romero Pinto, 40, of Lake Elmo, is accused of leading the scheme with Denis Rigoberto Aquino Martinez, 40, of Lake Elmo, and Luis Baltazar Leiva Aquino, 48, of Lakeville. Prosecutors say the group operated under the guise of providing immigration and legal services through a fake attorney named “Isabella Jason,” collecting large sums of cash from people seeking visas, work permits, or citizenship.
From January 2023 through November 2025, Romero Pinto allegedly approached victims she met through churches in Inver Grove Heights and Woodbury, promising to secure legal residency or financial aid for families in need. In many cases, she claimed to have special access to government programs or attorneys who could speed up the immigration process, charging thousands of dollars in advance fees. Victims said she insisted on cash payments—often made at her Lake Elmo home—and told them to recruit additional people who needed help, claiming laws prevented her from assisting only one person.
Investigators say many of those targeted were members of Spanish-speaking congregations who trusted Romero Pinto’s religious ties. A Mendota Heights pastor told police that Romero Pinto offered to hire church members for restaurant jobs if they paid a deposit. Later, she promised immigration help and even tried to sell him a $12,000 “golden card” that she said would allow him to help others gain citizenship. He eventually paid nearly $30,000 before realizing the services were fraudulent…