Dozens arrested after federal multi-agency raid at Evans mansion
6:16 PM Nov 4, 2011


Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, FBI, IRS, and Columbia County Sheriff's Office raided a home in The Estates of Jones Creeks in Evans around 5 p.m. Friday. News 12 has learned the homeowner's name is Hugo Diaz.

News 12 at 11/ November , 2011

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, FBI, IRS, and Columbia County Sheriff's Office raided a home in The Estates of Jones Creeks in Evans around 5 p.m. Friday.

So far, at least a dozen people have been detained at the home on 2000 block of Grace Avenue. Officials say they are searching two other homes in the county and one home in Richmond County.

The search warrant was issued by the U.S. Attorney in Savannah. We are told this is a sealed indictment meaning they are staying tight-lipped about the details.

News 12 has learned the homeowner's name is Hugo Diaz, according to Columbia County records. The home is estimated to be worth $1.6 million and is 11,000 square feet. We're told Diaz owns a construction company and on the Better Business Bureau website, he is listed as the primary contact for De La Fuente Contractors in Grovetown.

We have learned Diaz is in the country legally. Officials would not confirm the status of the men detained.

At this point, officials will not confirm what exactly sparked the search warrant.

On the scene, officers brought in k9s and were blacking out windows. Outside, Hispanic men were taken into custody.

The Columbia County Sheriff was also on the scene trying to put the community at ease.

Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle said, "There's no danger here, where these people are concerned. There's been no danger at the house, as far as the general public, no one needs to be alarmed at the presence of these people."

Officials say the indictment could be made public as early as Monday, that would be a federal judge's call.

Stay with News 12 over the weekend as we continue to follow this story.

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Multiple Arrests In Columbia County Due To Possible Illegal Immigration Raid

Columbia County, GA --
UPDATED: 12:16 P.M. Saturday, November 5th:

Columbia County investigators have arrested several people in connection to a possible illegal immigration raid.

Columbia County Jail staff say they are still booking people Saturday and say there could be many more.

Investigators are releasing very little information because multiple agencies are involved including the IRS, FBI, and ICE.

Jail staff confirms that those who are arrested in this case are booked with "hold for other agencies" and no bond.

Some witness say Hugo Diaz, the home owner, is listed as the primary contact for De La Fuente Contractors in Grovetown. According to the Better Business Bureau website, there is at least 1 complaint filed against that company.

Since this case is also being handled by federal authorities, state and local agencies cannot go into too many details. This is because of a sealed indictment so very little information is being released at this time. We may know more about those charges in the coming days.



UPDATED: 10:27 P.M. Friday, November 4th:

Investigators have one person in custody in connection to a possible illegal immigration raid in Columbia County.

Captain Steve Morris, of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, says Hugo Diaz was booked Friday, but there's no word yet on what charges he'll face.

This all started after a raid at a home on the 2000 block of Grace Avenue in the Estates at Jones Creek subdivision, in Columbia County.

That's off Evans to Locks Road, near Furys Ferry Road.

Investigators with the Columbia County Sheriff's office, the IRS, the FBI, and ICE searched that home Friday afternoon around 5 p.m.

Officers focused on the back part of the home which looked like a hotel-like structure.

Investigators say twelve people have been detained but there could be more.

According to Columbia County records, the $1.7 million home is owned by Diaz.

Witnesses say Diaz owns a construction company in the CSRA and has built several homes in the area.

Investigators say other homes, possibly owned by Diaz, have been raided with the assistance of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Friday afternoon.

Investigators are working off a sealed indictment so very little information is being released at this time.

Sheriff Clay Whittle says the indictment could be released within a couple of days by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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Arrestee: DOMIINQUEZ-SUASTE, ARTURO
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: LOPEZ-GARCIA, REYES FREDRICO
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: POWELL, CHRISTOPHER BRYAN
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

...
Arrestee: DOMIINQUEZ-SUASTE, ARTURO
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: LOPEZ-GARCIA, REYES FREDRICO
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: POWELL, CHRISTOPHER BRYAN
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: MIRANDA-DE-DIAZ, BLANCA NMN
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: SUARES-ORTEGA, CARLOS
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: LOZA-MARQUEZ, RIGOBERTO
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: JARQUIN-ESTEBA, ESTEBAN NMN
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: MEDINA-RAMIRES, HERIS FRANCISCO
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: DELAFUENTE, HUGO DIAZ
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY

Arrestee: VAZQUEZ-TREJO, JESUS
Charge: HOLD FOR OTHER AGENCY


We'll have more information on this developing story as we get it.
VIDEO AT LINK
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