Evans Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison and Forfeits Assets Worth Millions of Dollars for Violating Immigration Laws

U.S. Attorney’s Office
May 17, 2012 Southern District of Georgia
(912) 652-4422

SAVANNAH, GA—Hugo Diaz, aka Hugo Diaz de la Fuente, 45, of Evans, Georgia, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Court Judge J. Randal Hall to 15 months in prison based on Diaz’s earlier guilty plea to harboring illegal aliens for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain. Evidence presented at hearings in the case showed that illegal aliens worked for Diaz’s construction company, De La Fuente Contractors.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “This United States Attorney’s Office will enforce the federal government’s immigration laws. Employers will be expected to comply with our nation’s immigration statutes and will face serious consequences when they do not.”

After Diaz serves his prison sentence, he will be transferred to immigration authorities for deportation proceedings because he is an illegal alien. In addition to his prison sentence, Diaz was ordered to forfeit millions of dollars of the proceeds of his crime, including real property, vehicles, and money seized from several bank accounts.

Diaz’s conviction arises out of a joint investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David M. Stewart prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

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FBI — Evans Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison and Forfeits Assets Worth Millions of Dollars for Violating Immigration Laws