http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking ... 55188.html

Federal prosecutors have charged nine men and four roofing companies with using illegal immigrants to gain an improper financial advantage over firms employing legal workers.

According to the indictment, conspirators smuggled more than a dozen workers over the Mexican border to work in the Kansas City roofing industry, beginning in April 2001.

The defendants also face counts of conspiracy and money laundering.

The indictment was returned in secret May 29 and unsealed by a federal judge Monday afternoon after the arrest of six defendants.

Those in custody Monday were Luis Hernandez-Bautista, 33, Tony Evans, 48, Mario Bautista-Ojendiz, 26, Dante Cardillo-Rendon, 25, Gaudencio Bautista, 32, and Abel Montiel-Angel, 38.

They were expected in court mid-afternoon for an initial appearance.

Others charged in the indictment were Jose Juan Bello-Lazaro, 35, Victor Manuel Castanon-Flores, 26, and Armando Hernandez-Gonzalez, 31.

The companies charged were Mid-Continent Specialists, Inc., which did business as New Century Roofing, LH Roofing, LLP, LHB Roofing, Inc. and Metro Roofing Services, Inc.