I.C.E. News Release

August 31, 2010

Idahoan pleads guilty to federal employment violations

BOISE, Idaho - A Magic Valley home builder pleaded guilty to federal charges of employing illegal aliens, following an investigation by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Stacy Clark Miller, 39, of Jerome, Idaho, owned a construction company that built houses in Twin Falls, Idaho. According to court documents, Miller admitted that for a 17-month period starting in November 2008, he employed three Mexican nationals who performed various tasks for his company including framing, dry walling and roofing.

Miller acknowledges that he knew the workers were illegal aliens who did not have authorization to work in the United States, yet he continued to employ them. He also admits to willfully failing to comply with federal employment requirements.

Employers are required to complete an I-9 form for each new employee. The form must be completed within three business days after an employee is hired.

"The integrity of company's employment records is just as important to the federal government as the integrity of a businesses tax files or banking records," said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Seattle. "We will continue to focus our worksite enforcement strategy on employers to encourage compliance with federal hiring laws."

This charge carries a maximum prison sentence of six months, supervised release of up to one year, a fine of up to $9,000, and a maximum term of five years probation. Sentencing is scheduled for December 7.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Friday, September 3, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1008/100831boise.htm