Agents Raid Italian Restaurant
Nov 03, 2011 7:43 PM

Video at:
http://www.kiiitv.com/story/15956632/ag ... Id=6417415

CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) - Federal agents raided a popular restaurant, Grimaldi's, at La Palmera Mall, now two managers and another employee are behind bars. They're charged with hiring illegal immigrants and helping them get fake identification like Social Security cards and birth certificates.

Mall security kept our camera off the property, but 3News reporter Kim Passoth was able to walk up and see at least half a dozen immigration and customs agents in the restaurant through the glass windows. In a video taken from a public sidewalk, you can see agents searching through cars. They also searched the entire restaurant and the homes of three employees.

Mark Allen Milligan, Daniel Nieto-Ibarra and Erika Yazmin Peres Lara are all charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States Government. According to federal court documents, the trio of undercover agents posing as illegal immigrants came into the restaurant asking for work. They were told to go to the Corpus Christi Trade Center to pick up fake documents which would be waiting for them. The Immigration and Customs Agents stormed the restaurant at 9:30 AM Thursday with search warrant in hand. A sign was posted on the door saying the restaurant would be closed until 4:00 PM Thursday.

We spoke with the head of media relations for the Grimaldi's Pizza chain via telephone from Arizona. She says the company isn't sure what happened and is still sorting it all out. After the trio was arrested, they were hauled into federal court Thursday afternoon where cameras are also not allowed. We are also waiting on their booking photos as they have yet to finish the booking process.

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