Thread: 50 employees of local restaurants under investigation by federal agents

50 employees of local restaurants under investigation by federal agents

By Evan Anstey, News 4 Digital Producer
Published: October 18, 2016, 11:43 am Updated: October 18, 2016, 12:12 pm

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4 has confirmed that 50 employees at five local restaurants are under investigation by federal agents.

Investigations are underway at two Agave locations, Don Tequila, La Divina and one other restaurant that has not yet been named.

The restaurants are located in Buffalo, Kenmore and Cheektowaga. News 4 saw U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security agents there around 11:30 a.m.

ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls released a statement just after Noon on Tuesday.

“Today, special agents and officers from ICE are conducting an enforcement action as part of an ongoing criminal investigation,” the statement read.

“Because enforcement activities are currently underway, we cannot elaborate further at this time.

Additional details may be available later today.”

http://wivb.com/2016/10/18/numerous-...t-don-tequila/

9 arrested in federal investigation of local restaurants

By Evan Anstey, News 4 Digital ProducerPublished: October 18, 2016, 11:43 am Updated: October 18, 2016, 1:24 pm

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4 has confirmed that 50 employees at four local restaurants are under investigation by federal agents.

Investigations are underway Agave, El Agave, Don Tequila and La Divina.

The restaurants are located in Buffalo, Kenmore and Cheektowaga, and are all under the same owner, 42-year-old Sergio Mucino.

He and two others, Jose Sanchez-Ocampo, 37, and Marguin Sanchez, 22, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. Sanchez and Sanchez-Ocampo helped Mucino operate the restaurants.

If convicted, they could face 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

Along with them, six others were charged with illegally re-entering the country. They are listed here:

• Juan Carlos Bernal-Lujano, 51 (had previous felony conviction)
• Miguel Sanchez-Ocampo, 30 (had previous felony conviction)
• Abel Cruz-Martinez, 46
• Aida Ramirez-Arellano, 23
• Alejandro Valadez-Leon, 47
• Aracelli Lopez-Martinez, 33

News 4 saw U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security agents at the restaurants around 11:30 a.m.

According to federal officials, Mucino had employed multiple undocumented immigrants. They were paid in cash and worked among only one or two legal employees at every restaurant, according to officials.

Between July 2014 and the present day, officials say 38 Hispanic workers at the restaurant lived in nine apartments and two houses near the restaurants. The apartments were being rented and paid for by Mucino and Sanchez-Ocampo, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say the employees worked six days a week for 14 hours a day.

Each restaurant, which grossed about $50,000 weekly, after paying employees, did not report earnings for federal or state taxes, officials say.

The workers allegedly took home between $500 and $800 in cash every week.

ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls released a statement just after Noon on Tuesday.

“Today, special agents and officers from ICE are conducting an enforcement action as part of an ongoing criminal investigation,” the statement read.

“Because enforcement activities are currently underway, we cannot elaborate further at this time. Additional details may be available later today.”

http://wivb.com/2016/10/18/numerous-...t-don-tequila/

Demonstrators call for release of detained restaurant workers, immigration reform

By Nick Quattrini, News 4 ReporterPublished: October 20, 2016, 11:04 pm Updated: October 21, 2016, 12:05 am
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A group of demonstrators rallied outside of the immigration and customs office in Downtown Buffalo. They called for the release of 25 detained restaurant workers. Officials say the workers, who were detained earlier in the week, were undocumented – and are now facing criminal and immigration charges. In the long term, demonstrators say they also want to see nationwide immigration reform.

“So we are here to show that this is not about taco Tuesday, this is not about morning unlimited margaritas.”, said Emily Terrana, one of the participants at the rally. “This is about standing up for the dignity and respect and humanity of not only these 25 workers that were arrested but the 11 million people throughout this country that are living undocumented.”

Meghan Maloney de Zaldivar said, “We have to pass immigration reform, we’ve been fighting for immigration reform for years, and it has not happened, so that’s why this continuing limbo happens, is because our congress, and our federal government will not act.”

On Tuesday – federal agents raided 4 popular Mexican restaurants. Don Tequila and Agave in Buffalo, El Agave in Cheektowaga , La Divina in Kenmore.

25 people were arrested or detained and face criminal or immigration charges. Their owner is accused of harboring illegal aliens.

At Don Tequila on Allen Street, demonstrators there also called for the end of deportations of undocumented workers.

Patricia, a bartender at Don Tequila, said, “These aren’t bad hombres, these are hard-working family people, trying to provide for children, as i was trying to provide for my children, and i have had my means stripped from me, as an American citizen.”

So far, one of the restaurants, La Divina located in Kenmore, is scheduled to re-open on Friday. News 4 tried reaching out to the other 3 restaurants, but no one answered the phones, or the lines were disconnected.

http://wivb.com/2016/10/20/demonstra...ration-reform/

4 Mexican Restaurants Allegedly Housed, Employed Illegal Workers as Business Model