Suspected illegals facing charges

By Lauren Pack
Hamilton JournalNews
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /709050362

FAIRFIELD - A week after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at Koch Foods here, 20 people suspected of being illegal immigrants and also facing state criminal charges were arraigned in Fairfield Municipal Court.

One at a time, 12 men and eight women were brought before Judge Joyce Campbell Tuesday morning on charges of forgery and taking the identity of another.

All were informed of charges they face and questioned by Campbell about understanding rights granted under the U.S. Constitution.

Campbell set bond at $500,000 each and set preliminary hearings at 1 p.m. Sept. 13 for all 20 defendants.

Last week, Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said the cases would be presented to a grand jury for consideration of a direct indictment before the preliminary hearings.

Interpreter Armando Arredondo aided with communication, but some defendants simply did not understand the concept of the charges. Campbell explained the criminal process until she was satisfied the defendants understood.

"I made a mistake," said defendant Orial Alvarez. His attorney, George Katchmer of Dayton, and the judge, quickly told him the arraignment was not a time to make statements.

Leonel Hernandez-Ramirez said, "Yes, I am guilty."

The judge answered, "No, you don't want to say that."

She then explained through the interpreter that he had the right to an attorney and was presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Some of the accused appeared with lawyers while others requested a court-appointed attorney. Three area attorneys, Cassandra Rodriguez, Billy Guinigundo and Tamara Sack, who speak Spanish, were on hand for appointment on the spot.

A total of 161 people were taken into custody Aug. 28 at the Fairfield chicken-processing plant. All face federal deportation, but only the 20 arraigned Tuesday face local criminal charges.

A federal spokesman said last week the 20 defendants still would face deportation proceedings following their criminal cases.