Woman charged in illegal immigrant hiring





April 3, 2009 5:25 PM ET

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - A Manchester woman has been charged with helping illegal immigrants get fake IDs and then hiring them at a cheese processing business where a group of former Mexican workers contends in a federal civil rights lawsuit that she tried to humiliate them by calling them "stupid Indians" and "donkeys."

Thirty-6-year-old Shanna Dee Ramirez of Manchester was released on bond in Chattanooga following her arrest Thursday on federal charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting Social Security fraud, aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft and perjury. She could not be reached for comment.

Her attorney, federal defender Mary Ellen Coleman, could not be reached by telephone for comment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Humble declined comment Friday.

A group of Mexican workers last year sued Durrett Cheese Sales, Inc. of Manchester. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2007.

http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=10127667