Two plead to misdemeanors after immigration raid

Posted: Aug 7, 2008 06:38 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 7, 2008 06:39 PM EDT

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - Two men arrested in December raids on Mexican restaurants in northwest Arkansas have pleaded guilty in federal court at Fayetteville to misdemeanor charges of knowingly hiring an illegal alien. At the same proceeding today, three companies involved pleaded guilty to a felony charge of harboring aliens.

33-year-old Armando Reyes of Lowell and 35-year-old Arturo Reyes Jr. of Rogers had initially faced felony charges of harboring illegal aliens and money laundering. The two men were arrested December 10th during a sweep through the Acambaro Mexican Restaurants, Garcia's Distribution Co. and Garibaldi's Mexican Restaurant. The raid was carried out by a taskforce of local police officers overseen by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A news release from the U.S. attorney's office said two other employees of the companies, Silvia Reyes and Lucila Huaracha, pleaded guilty today to reduced charges of illegal entry into the United States.

The release said the Reyes brothers, Silvia Reyes and Huaracha face possible prison sentences up to six months and possible fines, plus deportation proceedings.

Arturo Reyes Sr., an executive representing the three companies, also entered a tentative plea agreement today that should avert the forfeiture of the businesses. The release said that, in exchange, he agreed to pay $400,000 in fines and the businesses will be placed on federal probation for five years.

At the time of the raid, ICE agents said a confidential informant tipped them that the Reyes family knowingly hired illegal immigrants and paid them "off the books."

Prosecutors said 23 people in all were arrested during the raids. Most were later deported.
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