Indictments issued against China Buffet II operators

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Posted: Tue 5:59 PM, Oct 31, 2017 |

Updated: Tue 6:15 PM, Oct 31, 2017

JACKSON, Miss. (WTOK) - Three residents have been charged with harboring and employing illegal immigrants.

The federal government is prosecuting the operators of China Buffet II for harboring and shielding illegal aliens, hiring illegal aliens, continuing employment of illegal aliens and wire fraud.

A 4-count indictment names Cheng Lin and Guo Guang Lin, who are legal permanent residents of the U.S., and Yan Fei Tang, an illegal alien from China.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Jackson says the three engaged in a pattern and practice of employing illegal aliens at the restaurant and submitted false tax documents, to avoid detection.

According to the Office of U.S. Attorney Michael Hurst, the indictment alleges Lin, Lin and Tang engaged in a pattern and practice of employing illegal aliens at China Buffet II; that they transported the illegal aliens to and from work daily, provided housing, deducted rental payments from the cash wages of the illegal aliens, and submitted false tax documents, all in an effort to shield the illegal aliens from detection by authorities.

“Those who come into our country illegally and those who harbor and employ them will be vigorously prosecuted by this office, said Hurst. "We will not allow those who violate the law to steal jobs and expend resources intended for American citizens and those here legally”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also seeking forfeiture of proceeds and property used to facilitate the offenses, including $594,240 in currency, a house in Meridian, and a Ford van.

The trio was arraigned Tuesday in federal court in Jackson. A tentative trial date is set for Jan. 8, 2018.

If convicted on all charges, the defendants each face a penalty of up to 80 years in prison and fines in excess of $500,000.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Glenda Haynes and Dave Fulcher.

http://www.wtok.com/content/news/Ind...454349133.html