A fake marriage resulted in prison time for one soldier.

In July, Joshua Priest pleaded guilty for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and wire fraud, according to the Army Times. On Monday, Oct. 15, a federal judge ruled that Priest's fake marriage to Shannakay Hunter, from Jamaica, will cost him 10 months in prison.

The former solider from Kansas planned on using the fake marriage to get additional benefits from the government as well as make Hunter a legal immigrant. He felt that he wasn't earning enough money and that the deception would be the best way to remedy his situation.

The prosecution filed a sealed motion to urge the judge to give the defendant a lighter sentence since Priest had been fully cooperative in the case. Priest's attorney told the judge that the ex-soldier made "a poor decision" but that he still has a bright future and has enrolled in college.

However, U.S. District Judge Monti Belot didn't show any leniency for the ex-private from Fort Riley.

''The fact you came in and cooperated is fine, but it doesn't excuse what you did,'' Belot told Priest during the sentencing hearing.

In addition to the jail sentence, Priest must pay the government back $30,000 for restitution due from the benefits he received. The judge said the soldier needed to be held with "higher responsibility" saying, ''The worst part of it, Mr. Priest, is that you were a member of our armed forces."

''I learned my lesson,'' Priest told the judge. ''I don't plan to do anything like that again.''

The ex-soldier testified against his fake wife, saying that they never had sex or lived with one and other, since they had never met until she arrived in the U.S. to get married.

Hunter will face sentencing on Nov. 26.