Restaurateurs to be sentenced for harboring illegals
CARSON WALKER
Associated Press Writer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sentencing dates have been scheduled for the owner and a manager of the Inca Mexican Restaurant in Sioux Falls on charges they hired illegal aliens to work at the popular establishment.

Oscar Cadena, one of the managers, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to unlawfully recruiting illegal aliens for employment. The maximum penalty is six months in prison and a $3,000 fine per illegal alien. His sentencing is May 30.

Julio Espino, Inca's owner, pleaded guilty to harboring an illegal alien. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentenced is June 25.

Federal agents arrested seven people for immigration violations during March 7 raids at the restaurant and two apartments, according to an affidavit filed by Craig Scherer, an agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

All seven illegal aliens from Mexico worked at Inca, he wrote.

The immigration violations happened from February 2005 through March 7, according to the criminal complaint.

Besides giving the illegal aliens jobs at Inca — and paying them in cash — Espino and Cadena also paid their rent, the complaint states.

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