Thread: MI: Illegal immigrant arraigned on weapons charges in Grand

Illegal immigrant arraigned on weapons charges in Grand Rapids
Jessica Puchala

* Updated:6/14/2010 6:12:18 PM - Posted: 6/14/2010 6:11:00 PM
* Comments (3)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM)- An illegal immigrant who ran a cleaning service in Grand Rapids was arraigned on federal weapons charges Monday.

Oswaldo Garces is charged with unlawful transport of firearms. Because he is in the country illegally he is not supposed to have weapons. Immigration Enforcement raided Garces' business Clean Tech Services and May 20 and found at least four rifles and shotguns in a safe.

According to court documents, Garces came to the United States from Equador in 1993 on a business visa. He outstayed that visa and has been here illegally since 1994.

Garces is out on bond until his next hearing.
By Amy Fox

www.wzzm13.com

GR biz owner admits hiring illegals

Oswaldo Garces ran Clean-Tech Services

Updated: Thursday, 21 Oct 2010, 6:06 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 21 Oct 2010, 3:55 PM EDT

By Henry Erb
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A well-known Grand Rapids businessman pleaded guilty to a felony in Federal Court to falsely claiming three of his employees were in the country legally when they were not.

Oswaldo Garces ran Clean-Tech Services, a janitorial firm that had contracts with a number of downtown offices, including City Hall.

The indictment to which he admitted guilt said he submitted eligibility forms to the government, saying he had examined three employee documents and they appeared to be genuine. In fact, he knew they were not.

He also admitted to a misdemeanor charge of continuing their employment once he knew they were unauthorized to be in the US.

Garces, 48, faces up to 10 years in prison on the felony charge, and another six months on the misdemeanor. He may also be deported to his native Ecuador.

www.woodtv.com

Business owner pleads guilty to reduced charges of hiring illegal residents

Published: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 7:29 PM Updated: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 7:33 PM

GRAND RAPIDS -- Oswaldo Garces, a local artist and business owner, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to reduced charges of hiring illegal residents.

Garces originally was charged with possession of firearms and ammunition by an illegal immigrant after police found guns in a safe during a raid at his business, Clean Tech Services, 1615 Monroe Ave. NW. Police entered the business based on information that he was here illegally, and employed illegal immigrants.

Garces has been in the U.S. since 1993, when he came here on a non-immigrant business visa, which expired after one year. He since filed petitions to stay in the country.

Originally from Ecuador, he and his wife, Yolanda "Ruby" Garces, raised their three children here. He was also involved in numerous community activities, including art events, and the police Civilian Appeal Board, appointed by the City Commission.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors on Wednesday filed superseding felony information that accused Garces of falsely attesting to documents presented by employees not eligible to work in the U.S. and hiring them. The firearms charges were not included.

His wife had told authorities that he kept his "hunting stuff" in the safe.

In court documents, defense attorney Charles "Chip" Chamberlain said he and prosecutors were working on a plea deal while evaluating "potential immigration consequences." Chamberlain and his client consulted with an immigration attorney so that Garces could understand all the implications of a plea.

www.mlive.com

Illegals hiring illegals and underbidding other companies that don't.

Man facing sentencing for hiring illegal workers gets letter support from Grand Rapids Mayor Heartwell, others before sentencing
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/ ... eader.html

Local artist and businessman Oswaldo Garces, who is to be sentenced Tuesday for hiring illegal workers, has support from prominent leaders, including Mayor George Heartwell.

Originally from Ecuador, Garces, who owned Clean Tech Services, has been living in the U.S. since 1993 when he entered on a non-immigrant business visa, which expired after one year. He had been in the process of trying to become a permanent resident.

He was originally charged with possession of firearms and ammunition by an illegal immigrant after police found guns in a safe during a raid at his business to determine if he employed illegal workers. His wife said the guns were for hunting.

As part of a deal, he pleaded guilty to falsely attesting to documents presented by employees not eligible to work in the U.S. and hiring them. He faces up to 10 years in prison, but the probation department recommended probation.

Garces, who raised three children here, submitted 15 letters written on his behalf to U.S. District Court.

Heartwell said he knows Garces as a community leader, contractor for the city and as a friend, who has been a guest in his home.

“Oswaldo is a businessman with a keen sense of the market. … The quality of his work was exceptional and his employees were trained not only to complete their tasks but to be, themselves, diplomats for the company in there interactions with clients."

Heartwell said he wasn't qualified to offer an opinion on the charges, but said he is “eminently qualified to speak to the heart of the man. Oswaldo is a good man; a man who wants to do the right thing for his community, his family and friends.â€