Thread: 53 indicted in immigration fraud raid in Texas

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4461371.html

Jan. 10, 2007, 3:23PM
53 indicted in immigration fraud raid in Texas


Associated Press


DALLAS — A federal grand jury has indicted 53 former workers at a Swift & Co. meat-processing plant in Cactus on felony charges of identity theft, authorities said today.

The former workers were among 295 people arrested in December when federal immigration agents raided the plant in the Texas Panhandle. Authorities said all had taken the identities of U.S. citizens.

Federal agents raided six Swift plants in six states on Dec. 12 and arrested nearly 1,300 people. Immigration officials said last week that about 220 would face criminal charges, including the 53 who were indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Amarillo.

Each of the 53 workers named in the indictment was charged with one count of false representation of a Social Security Number, a felony which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in Dallas. Many face additional charges.

"It is a serious federal crime to hijack and steal a citizen's good name and credit to illegally stay in the United States," said U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. "These federal indictments demonstrate federal law enforcement's commitment to address rampant identity theft and immigration fraud."

Besides the Social Security count, most of the 53 defendants were also charged with aggravated identity theft, having fraudulent immigration documents, and false representation of U.S. citizenship, authorities said. Those charges carry maximum sentences ranging up to 10 years in prison plus fines.

Seven people were charged with re-entering the country after deportation, and two were charged with aggravated felon re-entry, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities said the court system couldn't handle each of the 295 people arrested in Cactus, and those who won't be prosecuted have or will be deported. Those who are convicted will serve their prison terms before being deported, said John Chakwin, special agent in charge of immigration investigations in Dallas.

Lawyers for some of the workers charge that some employees weren't allowed to talk to attorneys before waiving their right to appeal deportation decisions. Prosecutors said no one requested legal representation.

Lawyers for some of the workers charge that some employees weren't allowed to talk to attorneys before waiving their right to appeal deportation decisions. Prosecutors said no one requested legal representation.

You don't have the right to a free court appointed attorney in a civil trial. Illegal immigration is a civil offense.

WAAAAAAAAAAAA!

8 out of 53 were felons that re-entered. Where are we going to put all these tents? Can they serve time with Sherriff Joe?

Dixie

Dixie wrote:

Can they serve time with Sherriff Joe?

That would be sweet justice. I here Joe's got plenty of green bolonga and pink underwear - send 'em to Joe!