A Greensburg man was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay almost $19,000 in restitution this afternoon for marrying an illegal immigrant so the defendant could receive increased housing pay from the Navy.

Adam D. Leichliter, 24, married a woman from Belarus, who had originally come to this country on a student visa in April 2002, on March 28, 2006. His bride, Natallia Kavaleva, paid Mr. Leichliter $3,000, which he divided among the recruiters who arranged the marriage.

His was one of dozens that were the subject of indictments here and in Norfolk, Va., earlier this year.

The scam involved sailors from the USS Wasp and the USS Iwo Jima. They married foreign nationals to allow them to stay in the United States legally, while the sailors were able to collect increased housing benefits.

In all, sailors from the Wasp collected more than $225,000 in Navy housing benefits, while those on the Iwo Jima received $96,000.

U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster said Mr. Leichliter's crime could, at least in some part, be attributed to youthful indiscretion.

"I am regretful for what I've done," the defendant said during his short sentencing hearing. "I gave up a great career with the Navy."

Mr. Leichliter said he just wants to move on with his life. He did receive an honorable discharge.