Thread: 15 from Neb. raid indicted

http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-new ... 7486056892

Dec 15, 2006


15 from Neb. raid indicted
OMAHA, Neb. (AFX) - Fifteen people were indicted on suspicion of identify theft in connection with the immigration raid at a meatpacking plant in Grand Island earlier this week.

Interim U.S. Attorney Joe Stecker said Friday the 15 men and women had used someone else's identification to get jobs at Swift & Co.

'We had no evidence they were involved in a ring or any other process,' Stecker said of the 15. 'They simply had obtained, through some means, someone else's identify and used it for employment.'

Most of the suspects faced two-count indictments:

-- 'Using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about July 15, 2005'; and

-- Aggravated identity theft in connection with the first count.

The maximum penalty on for the first count is 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment, Stecker said.

The maximum on the second count of identity theft is two years in prison, followed by a year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials rounded up 261 workers at the Grand Island plant on Tuesday.

The raid was part of an investigation of identity theft by workers at Swift plants in Grand Island; Greeley, Colo.; Cactus, Texas; Hyrum, Utah; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Worthington, Minn. In all, 1,282 Swift workers were detained Tuesday.

No charges were filed against Swift.

Swift's President and Chief Executive Sam Rovit said the company has never knowingly hired illegal workers and does not condone the practice.

Swift uses a government pilot program to confirm whether Social Security numbers are valid. Company officials have raised questions about the program's ability to detect when two people are using the same number.

Stecker said that in each of the 15 indictments, the victim had notified authorities that his or her identification had been stolen.

He said he anticipates more indictments.

Those indicted range in age from 22 to 48.

The maximum penalty on for the first count is 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment, Stecker said.

The maximum on the second count of identity theft is two years in prison, followed by a year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

President Calderon and the Mexican government can perform the supervised release! This is clearly a situation where deportation, not supervised release, would be more practical. Once the prison term is complete - deport 'em!

Actually, I think most Americans would find a 20 year probation term acceptable. Deport them immediately with the understanding that they will do 20 years in a federal prison if they re-enter the United States during the probationary period - 20 years with no chance of parole. Hey, that would prevent the American taxpayer from paying to support them. I seriously doubt many would choose to return with an automatic 20 years hanging over their heads. Our federal government needs to get more creative when dealing with these illegal immigrants.

Swift's President and Chief Executive Sam Rovit said the company has never knowingly hired illegal workers and does not condone the practice.

http://www.nebraska.tv/news/local/4928791.html

NEWS RELEASE

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

December 15, 2006

United States Attorney Joe Stecher announced that the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned several unsealed indictments against individuals apprehended by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in its Operation Wagon Train enforcement action at Swift & Company in Grand Island, Nebraska, on December 12, 2006. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If you need additional information on any of the following indictments, please telephone Joe Stecher, or, in his absence, Criminal Chief Jan Sharp, at 402-661-3700.

*Daniel Chavez-Carillo, age 28, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about July 15, 2005. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Eloisa Chavez-Garcia, a/k/a Karina Cortez, age 25, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about March 22, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Adrian Coria-Herrara, age 28, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about January 14, 2005. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Maria Lucia Gutierrez de Nunez is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on and before December 12, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with knowingly, and with intent to deceive, falsely representing a social security number to be assigned to her on and before December 12, 2006. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is five years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Victor Manuel Mendoza Escobar is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on and before December 12, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with knowingly, and with intent to deceive, falsely representing a social security number to be assigned to him on and before December 12, 2006. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is five years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Edwin Rocael Herrera-Larios, age 26, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about March 17, 2005. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Mateo Juan-Juan, age 22, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about October 2, 2002. Count 2 charges the defendant with knowingly, and with intent to deceive, falsely representing a social security number to be assigned to him on or about October 2, 2002. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is five years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Miguel Lopez-Estrada, age 43, is indicted for willfully, and with intent to deceive, falsely representing a social security number to be assigned to him on and before December 12, 2006. The maximum possible penalty on the charge is five years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Maria Concepcion Lopez-Fuentes, a/k/a Maria Del Carmen Aguilar, age 25, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about May 3, 2005. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Samuel Lopez-Hernandez, age 33, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about February 28, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Miguel Angel Moyao-Marino, age 32, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about April 13, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Silvia Ochoa-Gonzalez, age 48, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained immigration adit stamp as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about December 12, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Elmer Quevedo-Castillo, age 29, is indicted for illegally entering the United States after have been deported. The maximum possible penalty on the charge two years imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Carlos Israel Ren-Xiloj, age 48, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about January 6, 2006. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
*Isabel Zaban-Gutierrez, a/k/a Alec Michael Villalovos, age 34, is charged in a two count indictment. Count 1 charges the defendant with using a forged, counterfeited, fraudulently procured or unlawfully obtained Social Security card as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States on or about October 24, 2004. Count 2 charges the defendant with Aggravated Identity Theft during and in relation to the charge alleged in Count 1. The maximum possible penalty on Count 1 is 10 years imprisonment to be followed by a three year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty on Count 2 is two years consecutive imprisonment to be followed by a one year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
According to United States Attorney Stecher the investigation of this matter continues with the possibility of additional criminal charges being filed at a later time.


Story Created: Dec 15, 2006 at 2:22 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2006 at 4:22 PM CST