Update:
Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations report a multi-state operation resulted in 17 arrests in connection to an alleged criminal conspiracy to exploit illegal alien laborers for profit, fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in Nebraska and Minnesota. In addition to those arrest warrants, authorities also served search warrants for worksite hiring violations at agricultural firms in both states.
Law enforcement believes the alleged conspirators, 17 individuals located in multiple states, colluded to create an illegal alien workforce in their respective businesses. By doing so, they defrauded the U.S. government and created an unfair advantage over their competition businesses. Additionally, authorities suspect the illegal aliens who were knowingly hired as part of this alleged conspiracy were exploited by the conspirators through force, coercion, or threat of arrest and/or deportation. Specifically, these illegal aliens were allegedly required to cash their paychecks at an illegal remittance business for a fee, have tax money deducted from their pay even though this money was never paid to the government, and were coerced to remain quiet about this criminal activity.
Search warrants were served at the following businesses and locations:
· Christensen Farms with numerous locations in Appleton, Minnesota; Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; and Atkinson, Nebraska;
· Elkhorn River Farms in O’Neill, Nebraska;
· O’Neill Ventures in O’Neill, Nebraska;
· La Herradura Restaurant in O’Neill, Nebraska;
· El Mercadito (grocery store) in O’Neill, Nebraska;
· A private ranch in O’Neill, Nebraska;
· La Herradura Restaurant in Stromsburg, Nebraska;
· GJW LLC with three locations in Ainsworth, Nebraska;
· J.E. Meurets Grain Company in Ainsworth, Nebraska;
· Herd Co Cattle Company in Bartlett, Nebraska; and
· Long Pine (farm) in Royal, Nebraska.
This enforcement action is part of a 15-month, ongoing investigation based on evidence that these companies allegedly knowingly hired illegal aliens at their facilities, and that many of these aliens are using fraudulent identification belonging to U.S. citizens.
“The job magnet in the United States is primarily what draws illegal aliens across our borders,” said Special Agent in Charge Tracy J. Cormier, HSI St. Paul, which oversees Nebraska and Minnesota. “This HSI-led criminal investigation has shown that these targeted businesses were knowingly hiring illegal workers to unlawfully line their own pockets by cheating the workers, cheating the taxpayers, and cheating their business competitors.”
The following individuals were listed in the indictment. Those marked with an asterisk are not yet in custody follow the Aug. 8 criminal arrests.
· Juan Pablo Sanchez Delgado, aka "Pablo,"
· Antonio De Jesus Castro, aka "Tony,"
· Magdalena Castro Benitez, aka ''Nena,"
· Alma Hernandez Moreno, aka "Aunt,"
· Anayancy Castro Hernandez, aka "Anay,"
· *Fabian Castro, aka "Fabi,"
· Suni Sarahi Sanchez Delgado
· *Osvaldo Sanchez Delgado, aka "Lalo," aka "Lalito,"
· John Christopher Good,
· *Aracely Heredia Martinez, aka "Donita,"
· Eric Beringer,
· Christopher Thurlow,
· Mayra P. Jimenez Castellon,
· Asiyadeth Jimenez Castellon,
· John Glidden,
· Jaime Garcia Cota, aka "David," and
· Lillian Ajin.
Governor Pete Ricketts has confirmed that the Nebraska State Patrol is assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials as they conduct an immigration raid at the Ventures tomato processing plant on Highway 281 north of O’Neill.
The plant employs 80 people in the town of less than 4,000 people. Law enforcement officials are blocking the entrance to the plant and guards have surrounded the building. A Homeland Security bus pulled in front of the building and several people were seen getting on board.
"I think one thing one thing people in Nebraska are very clear about is that they want law and order to be upheld," Ricketts says. "I believe that is what our federal government and Homeland Security are doing, they're enforcing our laws."
One plant employee says this raid could leave the company with just 20 employees and may stop operations all together, which could lead to a major impact on business and the town economy.
Ricketts says Nebraska businesses and people have to follow the federal law and that is what is being enforced.
(Photo: Nebraska News Channel)