Thread: 7 charged with hiring illegal workers

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5222761.html

I laughed at "hometown unknown" for the one.

Sounds like a great bunch. I hope they get what they deserve.

Mo.: 7 Face Illegal Hiring Charges

By MARCUS KABEL Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Seven employees of poultry processor George's Inc. were arrested Wednesday on federal charges of hiring illegal immigrants at a southwest Missouri plant that was raided by immigration authorities in May.

John F. Wood, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said the indictments and arrests show that no one is above the law when it comes to hiring illegal workers.

The seven defendants are all employees of a George's processing plant in Butterfield, about 60 miles southwest of Springfield. All seven were involved in hiring or supervising employees at the plant, Wood said.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation," Wood said at a news conference.

He declined to say if that investigation includes whether people higher up in the privately owned company are suspected of knowing about the illegal hiring.

Springdale, Ark.-based George's did not immediately respond to phone calls and e-mail requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Immigration agents and police raided the Butterfield plant in May. They arrested 136 people _ mainly from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador _ on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

Prosecutors said most of the defendants charged Wednesday were expected to be released on bail. None have yet had a hearing where they could enter a plea.

Those named in the charges are Guadalupe Castro, 32, of Verona; Brad Vansandt, 48, and Dora Ruiz, 32, both of Monett; Jody Salinas, 29, and Billy Essley, 41, both of Cassville; Gary Creed, 31, of Washburn; and Hilda Gomez, 35, hometown unknown.

Wood said prosecutors would ask that Ruiz be held without bail because she is on probation for a drug conviction in New Mexico.

All seven were indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts each related to hiring and harboring illegal immigrants. Those charges are felonies that each carry a maximum 10 years in prison.

In addition, Castro, Gomez, Salinas, and Ruiz were each charged with aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft for allegedly helping illegal immigrants use valid Social Security numbers from other people. Wood said that felony charge carries a maximum two year sentence that must be served on top of any other term.

Mo.: Company Cooperating With Probe
Thursday October 18, 4:52 pm ET
George's to Cooperate With Immigration Investigation

BUTTERFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The poultry processor George's Inc. said Thursday it plans to cooperate with a federal investigation of six employees and one former worker who have been arrested on federal charges of hiring illegal aliens.
The charges come after a southwest Missouri plant was raided by immigration authorities in May when 136 people were arrested on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

The Springdale, Ark.-based company declined further comment on Thursday because of the ongoing investigation, said Glen Balch, vice president of human resources.

The seven defendants worked at George's processing plant in Butterfield, about 60 miles southwest of Springfield. All seven were involved in hiring or supervising employees at the plant, said John F. Wood, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Those named in the charges are Guadalupe Castro, 32, of Verona; Brad Vansandt, 48, of Monett; Jody Salinas, 29, and Billy Essley, 41, both of Cassville; Gary Creed, 31, of Washburn; and Hilda Gomez, 35, hometown unknown. Dora Ruiz, 32, of Monett is a former employee.

All seven were indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts each related to hiring and harboring illegal immigrants. Those charges are felonies that each carry a maximum 10 years in prison.


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071018/mo_immig ... .html?.v=2

Pair acquitted of charges from George's raid


Associated Press - October 6, 2008 6:34 PM ET

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A federal jury has acquitted two women accused of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants working at a George's poultry plant.

Hilda Gomez and Jody Salinas had faced charges that they harbored illegal immigrants in the United States and helped one use counterfeit identifications in order to work at southwest Missouri plant. The charges came after federal agents raided the plant in May 2007 and arrested 136 suspected illegal immigrants.

Lawyers for Gomez, who worked as a receptionist at the plant, said she had "no authority or discretion over hiring and firing decisions." Salinas worked as a personnel director at the plant.

A jury acquitted the two Friday after a 5-day trial.

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