A Las Vegas woman who married multiple men to fund a costly gambling habit has been sentenced to a year in jail and probation. Jiaying Chen, 34, pleaded guilty in July to two felony charges: bigamy and obtaining money under false pretences. She was sentenced on Tuesday, October 7.
Marriage spree and victims
Prosecutors said Chen married five different men in just a few months earlier this year. A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrest report showed she submitted 14 marriage applications to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, seven official marriage certificates were issued as a result.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Austin Beaumont told the court: "She is the quintessential runaway bride." District Judge Crystal Eller said Chen appeared to be driven by a severe gambling addiction, warning that treating the problem was the only way to stop her from targeting more victims. Without proper help, Judge Eller said: "There's zero chance that she's not going to do this again."
Sentencing and conditions
Chen was placed on probation and ordered to spend the first year behind bars at the Clark County Detention Centre, with credit for 125 days already served. She must also attend mandatory Gamblers Anonymous meetings, undergo addiction counselling, wear an electronic tag, and pay $280,000 (£212,000) in restitution.
Police said Chen found her victims on social media before quickly pressuring them into marriage. Once married, she told sob stories claiming she needed cash urgently to help a sick relative in China. Investigators discovered the money went to slot machines and gambling tables instead.
Investigation and fraud method
"It has been determined Chen has lost over $300,000 (£227,000) at the Wynn casino in the last year, and (it) appears the money she has obtained goes to gambling and not relatives overseas," police said. Chen used an alias, presented fraudulent IDs, and lied on official forms to pull off the scam.
She was previously arrested in 2024 but disappeared after posting bail. Police tracked her down again in June, finding she was using the alias "Vicky Liang" while carrying a fake passport and forged Nevada driver's license. Chen, born in China, is a lawful permanent resident in the US.
Prosecutor's reasoning and victim impact
DA Beaumont explained why prosecutors backed probation over direct prison time: "Given our current political environment regarding deportations, we cannot assure that she will stay in the country if she's sentenced directly to prison. So the victims and the state are asking for her to stay in the country while on probation as it's really the only means of ensuring that these victims can pursue their restitution judgments against Ms. Chen."
Defence attorney Thomas Wells insisted Chen was remorseful, struggled deeply with her addiction, and was eager to repay her victims. Speaking through an interpreter, Chen said she planned to get an honest job as a waitress at a friend's sushi restaurant in Florida. One husband, Raymond Tam, attended court wearing a mask and sunglasses to hide his identity. Speaking through a translator, he said he was left unable to pay workers at his factory and owes massive debts to friends. "Mentally, every day, I'm distressed and I'm not able to sleep," he said.
