http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/p ... 40346/1046

Article published Aug 4, 2006
Federal authorities arrest two workers at Great Falls project
By Tribune Staff

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two men working in the Wal-Mart store early Wednesday.

The workers were employed by a subcontractor, Nationwide Restorations, which renovates Wal-Mart stores every five or six years, said store spokesman John Simley of Bentonville, Ark.

Simley said he didn't know the suspects' names. However, Cascade County regional jail Administrator Capt. Dan O'Fallon said that ICE agents booked Carlos Hernandez and Francisco Mendosa at the regional jail about 2 a.m. Wednesday on illegal entry charges.

A local spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined comment.

Restoration work was halted after the arrests, Simley said.

"It's our procedure to shut down a job site when something like this happens until the subcontractor can verify that they have done everything correctly in regard to work authorization verification," Simley said.

He added that he was unaware of similar problems involving Nationwide Restoration in other locations.

Last month, store manager Lance Lerud said the Great Falls Wal-Mart would be undergoing renovation work through the end of September, but that most of the work would be done at night when the store was less busy.

Assistant store manager Rob Munguia said work would resume Thursday night.