Yet another reason why Florida needs E-Verify

Three officers of a corporation based in Fort Pierce, Florida were each sentenced in Federal court earlier this month for knowingly hiring ninety-two illegal aliens in a conspiracy to conceal and harbor them for commercial advantage and profit, announced the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to a press release published by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, TentLogix, Inc corporate officer Gary Hendry, 52, of Jenson Beach, Florida, and two other corporate officers were sentenced on December 20, 2019:

"TentLogix, Inc. and its corporate officers Hendry and Dennis Birdsall, 41, of Stuart, Florida, and Kent Hughes, 53, of Jenson Beach, previously pled guilty for their involvement in the conspiracy (Case No. 19-CR-14035).  

TentLogix was sentenced to 4 years of probation, to include the implementation of a corporate compliance program.  In addition, TentLogix was ordered to forfeit $3,033,946.46 to the United States.  Hendry was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. He was also ordered to forfeit $282,789 to the United States and pay a $75,000 fine.  Birdsall was previously sentenced to 5 years of probation.  Birdsall was also ordered to forfeit $170,943 to the United States and pay a $15,000 fine.  Hughes was previously sentenced to 3 years of probation.  Hughes was also ordered to forfeit $80,000 to the United States and pay a $7,500 fine. "

The press release lays out the findings from the court record, emphasizing the employment of ninety-two aliens who entered the country illegally and the scheme concocted in defiance of our laws to purposely conceal them from TentLogix payroll (emphasis mine):

 "According to the court record, from January 2016 to March 2018, TentLogix employed approximately ninety-two aliens knowing those individuals had entered and remained in the United States unlawfully.  During this time frame, a large portion of TentLogix’s workforce in the Southern District of Florida was comprised of aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. 

While TentLogix was being investigated by HSI for violations of federal immigration law, Hendry, the chief executive officer of TentLogix, Birdsall, the president of TentLogix, and Hughes devised a scheme to “transfer” the aliens employed by TentLogix to KH Services, LLC, a company owned by Hughes, so that they no longer appeared on TentLogix’s payroll.  

Hendry was the architect of the unlawful scheme and recruited Hughes, a childhood friend, to participate.  Hughes formed KH Services, LLC for the sole purpose of concealing, harboring, and shielding the aliens employed by TentLogix from HSI’s investigation.  Hendry directed Birdsall to make a supervisor (“GMC”) at TentLogix aware of the scheme.  At Hendry’s behest, Birdsall directed the supervisor to tell the aliens employed by TentLogix to obtain new identities, including social security numbers, which GMC did, so that they could be “transferred” to KH Services, LLC. "

E-Verify, authorized by Congress and signed into law by former President Bill Clinton through the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), is a web-based system through which employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees.

The guilty pleas and sentencing of TentLogix officers for defying Federal law requiring employers hire only U.S. citizens and aliens who are authorized to work in the country come on the heels of news accounts that Florida Senate President Bill Galvano does NOT support a mandate on private business use the federal government’s E-Verify system.

From WUSF Public Media:

"Gov. Ron DeSantis wants all Florida businesses to use a system to prevent undocumented immigrants (inserted by me: system to ensure Florida businesses follow the IIRIRA) from getting jobs in the state, but a powerful Republican leader is pushing back against the proposal. 

Senate President Bill Galvano said this week he does not support a measure that would force Florida's private employers to use the federal government's E-Verify system, which checks to see if new hires are authorized to work in the U.S."

On 9/11 anniversary, Feds announce conviction, apprehension involving smuggling of illegal Chinese nationals

President Trump was right to start the battle against human trafficking almost immediately upon assuming office. He signed an executive order in February 2017 targeting transnational criminal organizations that threaten the safety & sovereignty of the United States and American citizens.

And his administration was right just a month earlier when news broke his administration declared China among the worst human trafficking offenders. 

Yesterday, on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the 7th anniversary of the Benghazi attacks, the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Texas and Customs & Border Protection separately announced a conviction and an apprehension involving the smuggling of illegal Chinese nationals into the country.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury has convicted a 49-year-old legal permanent resident from Donna for knowingly and intentionally conspiring to unlawfully transporting undocumented illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour before convicting Federico Espinosa-Flores following a two-day trial. 

During trial the jury heard that on Dec. 21, 2018, authorities arrested Federico Espinosa-Flores at the Border Patrol Checkpoint in Sarita. 

At approximately 7:40 A.M., Espinosa-Flores drove a white Ford cargo van disguised as an adult daycare business and entered the primary inspection lane. At that time, authorities noticed him exhibiting signs of nervousness, such as avoiding eye contact and having trembling hands. Espinosa-Flores consented to a search of which resulted in the discovery of 10 undocumented aliens in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Six were Chinese nationals.."

MARFA, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents arrest 10 citizens of China illegally present in United States.  

"Big Bend Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Mathew J Roggow said, “The communities in Big Bend Sector are home to some of the finest people I have come to know.  I am extremely proud of our agents commitment to keeping them safe.  Today was a prime example of the unity of effort that we have with our fellow state and local law enforcement agencies.  These arrest would not have been possible without the assistance of the Marfa Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens, and the diligent efforts of the Presidio and Brewster County Sheriff’s Office."

Agents apprehend illegal aliens.

On September 10, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Marfa Border Patrol Station and Big Bend Sector responded to a call for assistance from a Presidio County Sheriff’s Office Deputy (PCSO) attempting to conduct a vehicle stop on a white GMC pickup truck.  The vehicle failed to yield to the PCSO deputy.  Border Patrol Agents along with other state and local partners responded to assist in searching for the vehicle.  During a search for the vehicle, agents located a subject near the Marfa cemetery. 

Shortly after locating the subject near the cemetery, agents located foot sign and followed it to an abandoned shack located at the Marfa cemetery.  Agents found ten subjects, all citizens of China illegally present in the United States, hiding in the shack.  The subjects were arrested and taken to the Marfa Border Patrol Station for processing."

Current, former federal employees indicted: used private email, failed to disclose conflicts of interest

There's news out of the Justice Department, U.S. Attorney's Office about two federal employees; one current and one former alleged to have communicated in the line of their government duties using private email and personal cell phones. It's further alleged the former federal employee failed to disclose a personal conflict of interest while applying for employment with a government contractor.

The Justice Department announced their arrest and indictment on 15 federal charges today (emphasis mine):

San Juan, Puerto Rico:

" Ahsha Nateef Tribble, a FEMA Region II, Deputy Regional Administrator; Donald Keith Ellison, former President of Cobra Acquisitions, LLC; and Jovanda R. Patterson, a.k.a. “Jo/Jojo,” former FEMA Deputy Chief of Staff, have been indicted and arrested on charges of: conspiracy to commit bribery of public officials; acts affecting a personal financial interest; false statements; disaster fraud; honest services wire fraud, Travel Act violations, and wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), conducted the investigation with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

The indictment alleges that the defendants used Tribble’s positions in FEMA to benefit and enrich themselves and defraud the United States. Following the passage of Hurricane María over Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, Ahsha Nateef Tribble, Donald Keith Ellison, and Jovanda R. Patterson came to Puerto Rico as part of the recovery and restoration of Puerto Rico’s electric power grid. In Tribble’s position as Sector Lead and Deputy Director, she reported directly to the Federal Coordinating Officer and was FEMA’s primary leader as to the restoration of electric power on the island. "

Count 1 of the Indictment charges Tribble and Ellison with a conspiracy to commit bribery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 based on soliciting and giving things of value to Tribble in order to influence Tribble’s performance of official acts as a FEMA employee. To further the conspiracy, Tribble and Ellison communicated using private email accounts, private cellular telephones, including a disposable prepaid cellular number, Apple iMessage, and SMS texts rather than FEMA issued email accounts or cellular telephones."

Read the rest here

4x deported illegal alien found in West Virginia jail, faces prison time, deportation

The United States Attorney's Office in the Southern District of West Virginia announced Wednesday that an illegal alien from Mexico plead guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien.

According to the press release announced by United States Attorney Mike Stuart, the Mexican national found not lawfully present in the United States was deported from the U.S. on four prior occasions; in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. 

"On June 17, 2019, Camarena-Jacinto was found in the South Central Regional Jail  located in Charleston, West Virginia by members of ICE after he was arrested by Ripley police officers for the state offense of obstruction.  ICE agents traveled to the jail to confirm his legal status.  The defendant admitted to agents that he was in the United States illegally.  Camarena-Jacinto  was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States.  ICE agents further spoke to the defendant to confirm his identity. Camarena-Jacinto again admitted being in the United States illegally.  Camarena-Jacinto had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States."

News of securing the guilty plea comes on the heels of a controversy in nearby Huntington, West Virginia and a grant deal where some community members do not want local law enforcement officers working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

From the Herald-Dispatch:

HUNTINGTON — What is normally a routine request for federal grant money has turned into a point of controversy for Huntington City Council.

For at least the past decade, the city has applied and received money for the Huntington Police Department through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The program is used to pay for officers performing drug interdiction patrols and for community education programs.

However, new language added to the grant application this year has some people questioning whether accepting it will open the city up to illegal immigration raids conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency.

City officials said the grant's wording is merely a promise to comply with all federal laws, and the grant itself has nothing to do with immigration or ICE.
Still, a group of people are asking the city not to follow through with the grant application and to take measures to prevent local officers from working with ICE agents.

Houston businessman sentenced in H2-B foreign worker visa scam

The United States Attorney's office in the Southern District of Texas announced on Wednesday that a Houston businessman was sentenced in federal court on six counts of making false statements and false representations made on government forms to procure foreign workers under the H2-B visa program they did not need.

According to the press release a 45 -year old Houston man named Marco Pesquera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud Jan. 3, 2019 and on September 4 was sentenced  to 38 months in prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was further ordered to forfeit $5 million in a money judgment and his Houston residence.

Three other individuals; Norma Linda Vega, 46 of Houston, Saul Atkinson, 47, of Brownsville, and Gwendolyn Saldivar, 41, of Snellville, Georgia were also charged and have pleaded guilty.

At the time of plea, Pesquera admitted that from approximately 2011 to January of 2018, he and his co-conspirators utilized legitimate and fictitious companies to petition for H-2B visas. Pesquera recruited and paid individuals to petition for visa workers they did not need and then utilized the foreign workers to fulfill labor contracts. 

“Pesquera and his co-conspirators defrauded the DOL’s H-2B program by filing false documentation to obtain visas for more than 1000 foreign workers to work in the U.S illegally,” said Grell. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who defraud worker visa programs for their own personal gain.”

Pesquera’s business, Pangea Enterprises Inc., contracted with large industries to provide labor and profited by paying foreign workers an hourly wage well below the contract rate.

Pesquera and his co-defendants utilized false documents that included contracts, tax forms, web sites and fictitious phone numbers and business addresses to facilitate the fraud. 

Pesquera also admitted to obstructing the investigation by creating false documents in response to a federal subpoena.

These sentences come a few weeks after the U.S. Department of Labor announced a California -based employer and their H-2B visa agent in Texas paid back wages stemming from violations of the H2-B visa program and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Background check failed to prevent deaths of three Chinese migrants

On September 3rd the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arraignment in federal court of a U.S. citizen from El Paso, Texas, now residing in Tijuana, Mexico in connection with the deaths of three Chinese migrants, including a mother and her 15-year-old son, who were found in the trunk of Valera’s BMW two days after he crossed into the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in the same car.

As you read the press release and news summary, consider the requirements necessary for Valera's approval for entry through the SENTRI program: a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.

From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California:

SAN DIEGO – Neil Edwin Valera, a U.S. citizen who resides in Tijuana, was arraigned in federal court today in connection with the deaths of three Chinese migrants, including a mother and her 15-year-old son, who were found in the trunk of Valera’s BMW two days after he crossed into the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in the same car.

Valera, a truck driver from El Paso, Texas, was taken into custody at the downtown bus station on Saturday. He was charged via complaint with Encouraging Aliens to Enter Resulting in Death and Bringing in Aliens without Presentation for Financial Gain.

On August 11, 2019, at 4:54 p.m., San Diego police received an emergency 911 call from a person reporting a foul odor and blood dripping from a suspicious vehicle with Texas license plates parked near the 2100 block of Jaime Avenue in San Diego.

San Diego police officers discovered a 1999 silver BMW with a Texas license plate. The officers lifted the trunk and found what initially appeared to be two deceased Asian females. Homicide detectives found an additional victim, an Asian male, pressed up against the rear wall of the trunk. A witness said the car was first noticed two days earlier and no one was seen coming or going.

Video recordings show the same car crossing into the United States from Mexico on August 9, 2019, at the San Ysidro port of entry at 3:14 p.m. According to the complaint, the driver was Valera, the registered owner of the vehicle. Valera used his Sentri card to enter into the U.S. After that day, Valera only crossed into the United States on foot, through pedestrian lanes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry...

NOTE: You may not be eligible for participation in the SENTRI program if you:

• Provide false or incomplete information on the application;

• Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence);

• Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;

• Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;

• Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or

• Cannot satisfy CBP of your low risk status.

Read the rest here.

Austin, TX: previously convicted felon sentenced for firearm possession, fraud conspiracy

When you read the press release published by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas, you'll understand why County Examiner keeps an eye on credit, debit card expiration dates, reviews credit card and bank statements daily, and places a hold on mail delivery prior to travelling out-of-town.

CE and her hubby check their mailbox daily and always deposit outgoing mail inside the post office or an authorized post office drop.

(Austin, TX) In Austin today, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced 28–year–old Austin resident Douglas Ryan Dahl to 51 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm and conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud using information obtained from stolen mail, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Houston Division.  Dahl also was ordered to pay $3,559.78 in restitution.

According to court documents, between about January 1, and December 25, 2018, Dahl conspired with others to obtain money and goods through fraudulent use of stolen and fraudulently obtained PII.  Dahl obtained mail stolen by other individuals who pried open mail receptacles in the Austin, Texas area.  Dahl was found with thousands of pieces of mail from hundreds of different victims. With a laptop and laser printer, Dahl used the personally identifying information taken from the victims of the stolen mail to create fake, temporary driver’s licenses bearing Dahl’s photograph.  Dahl was found driving a 2014 Ford Taurus in December 2018 that he purchased after obtaining $25,000 in financing using stolen personal identification information.  A temporary Texas Driver’s License was found in the car in the victim’s name but bearing Dahl’s photo.  At the time, Dahl, a convicted felon, possessed a Glock Model 19 9mm handgun and a Remington 12 gauge shotgun.

Attendance maxed out at South Florida human trafficking event

A training event designed to raise public awareness of the National Human Trafficking  hotline reached full capacity today, announced the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. 

More than 150 people attended a training forum co-hosted with the Federal South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force.

From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida press release:

"The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and support.  The National Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the Federal South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force in certain cases.  Through information received by the National Hotline, law enforcement authorities can connect investigations that span jurisdictions across the country."

"he Federal South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Miami-Dade Police Department, and International Rescue Committee, works to increase public awareness, identify victims, ensure that survivors receive assistance, and prosecute traffickers. 

The Task Force is composed of federal agencies including, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (specifically, its Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force), State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and U.S. Department of Labor.  Several other state and local law enforcement entities in South Florida are supportive task force members.  Additionally, the Task Force collaborates with non-law enforcement entities, including the Florida Department of Children and Families, service providers, victim advocates, faith-based organizations, academic representatives and community members. Presently, the Task Force includes more than 300 non-law enforcement members."

On August 8th in this post, County Examiner reported Miami as one of the top three U.S. areas of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) responsibility receiving requests for service from families impacted by crimes committed by removable criminal aliens handled by the VOICE (Victims Of Immigration Crime Enforcement) office in Q3 2018.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Task Force will host a Human Trafficking Symposium at Nova Southeastern University on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.  The program is free and will provide advanced human trafficking training and resources for victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals, and the local community. 

To register for the symposium visit https://nsuinfo.nova.edu/chcs/human-trafficking-symposium/.

Three Laredoans Arrested for Making False Statements When Purchasing Firearms

On August 5 County Examiner brought you the news of a press release out of the U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of Texas. The press release focused on an individual in Lubbock, Texas who the USAO alleged made false statements to a federally-licensed firearms dealer for the purpose of acquiring a firearm. 

And today there's THIS press release about three more individuals in Texas arrested for making false statements to acquire a firearm but this time in Laredo. 

Guess what? The firearms were allegedly destined for Mexico.

From the U. S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas:

LAREDO, Texas – One woman and two men from Laredo are set to appear in court for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States by knowingly making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Ivette Julissa Ramirez, 18, Jesus Abraham Ramirez, 24, and David Arnaldo Garcia, 25, are set to make their initial appearances today at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon. 

According to the criminal complaint, beginning on July 29, Ivette Ramirez purchased four AK-47 type semi-automatic rifles over the course of eight days. Law enforcement officials subsequently learned she allegedly made a $3,000 deposit on a .50 caliber rifle at a federal firearm licensee in Laredo. 

The charges allege that on Aug. 13, 2019, she arrived at the licensee with Jesus Ramirez. Both were subsequently observed leaving, with Jesus Ramirez rolling a large gun case, according to the complaint.

Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and discovered Ivette Ramirez, Jesus Ramirez and Garcia all inside the vehicle as was a Barrett .50 caliber rifle, according to the charges. 

The complaint alleges Garcia and Jesus Ramirez would provide the funds, while Ivette Ramirez made the actual firearms purchases. The firearms were allegedly going to Mexico.

Read the full press release here.

Lubbock man arrested for allegedly making false statement to FFL

Foreign nationals found to have made misrepresentations on government forms garner the attention of County Examiner, as do American citizens alleged to have done the same.

From the U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of Texas:

"A Lubbock man allegedly contemplating a mass shooting has been charged by criminal complaint with making false statements to a federally-licensed firearms dealer, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. The potential shooting has been averted. 

William Patrick Williams, 19, was arrested by special agents of ATF and FBI Thursday, following a brief hospitalization. He made his initial appearance in court Friday morning... Eight days later, ATF received the firearms transaction form (form 4473) that Williams had completed on July 11, when purchasing the AK-47. 

On the form, Mr. Williams listed his relatives’ address, where he no longer resided. Agents discovered that although Mr. William’s driver’s license showed the family members’ address, Mr. Williams was actually living with a roommate at a different address, following eviction by his relatives.  He had allegedly misrepresented his current address on the firearms transaction form." (read the rest here)

Mexican national to serve 18 months in jail for 3rd illegal reentry to US

The flagrant disregard for U.S. sovereignty continues to be taken seriously by Texas courts and the U.S. Attorney's Office. For those of you from Rio Linda, Quinlan is in Hunt County, Texas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Fernando Antonio Garcia-Bonilla, 27, of Quinlan, Texas, was sentenced to eighteen months in federal prison by United States District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg.  The defendant was convicted of re-entering the United States illegally after being deported on two prior occasions and after having committed three DUIs while in the country unlawfully.  After he serves his sentence, the defendant will be deported to Mexico.

On August 16, 2018, the defendant, an illegal alien, native and citizen of Mexico, was charged in an indictment with one count of re-entry into the United States after previously being deported and removed from the country on or about March 2, 2017 and February 15, 2018.  On March 18, 2019, the defendant pleaded guilty to the indictment.

While illegally present in the United States, the defendant was convicted of driving while intoxicated by three different Texas courts, the last of which sentenced him to serve ten years in prison, all but two of which were suspended.  Additionally, this federal conviction is the defendant’s third conviction for violating this nation’s immigration laws, as he was previously federally convicted of illegal entry into the United States on February 17, 2017, in the District of New Mexico, and then convicted of illegal re-entry into the United States on August 11, 2017 in the same district.  He was sentenced to serve ten months’ imprisonment following his most recent federal conviction.(read the rest here) 

"DREAMer" ordered deported after transporting illegal aliens

From a news release out of the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Texas:

LAREDO, Texas – A 22-year-old Mexican national living in Laredo has been ordered deported following his conviction in a multi-agency, high-speed pursuit, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Jose Yepez-Vega pleaded guilty April 29, 2019, to three counts of transporting an undocumented alien within the United States for financial gain, causing risk of serious bodily injury or death as well as one count of conspiracy.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña noted Yepez-Vega’s status as a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy has been revoked and he is to be deported back to Mexico. At the hearing, the court warned him to not come back to the United States. (read the rest here)

Texas Immigration Attorney Arrested for Bribery

From the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Texas

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Federal authorities have arrested a Weslaco attorney following the return of an indictment alleging conspiracy and bribery involving immigration detention employees, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.   

Today, law enforcement took Roel Alaniz, 39, of Weslaco, into custody. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III tomorrow at 10:00.

The seven-count indictment, returned yesterday, alleges he obtained “alien detainee roster lists” from immigration detention employees who received cash payments in return.

In May 2019, a federal grand jury also indicted Benito Barrientez, 42, of Lyford, Damian Ortiz, 30, of Weslaco, and Exy Adelaida Gomez, 42, of Los Fresnos. Barrientez and Ortiz were employed at the Willacy County Regional Detention Center, while Gomez was employed at the El Valle Detention Center. Both facilities are located in Raymondville. (read the rest here)

Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Immigration and SORNA violations

Headlines such as these result in ever-increasing numbers of U.S. citizens opposed to passage of any laws granting amnesty or temporary protected status from deportation to anyone in the country illegally.

Read the full news release here.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 57-year-old Guatemalan national has admitted to two federal felonies after sexual assault conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.  

On or about July 19, 2002, Jose Paxtor-Chiroy was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a five-year-old child in Harris County. Following his state prison sentence, federal authorities ordered he be deported from the United States and to not return. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

He had previously faced removal proceedings on two other occasions.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 27, 2018, authorities located Paxtor-Chiroy walking through a ranch near Sarita. He was attempting to avoid the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. At the time of his arrest, he admitted he unlawfully entered the United States by traveling across the Rio Grande River near Hidalgo County.

Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), convicted sex offenders must provide registration updates annually or quarterly, depending on the reportable conviction. Today, Paxtor-Chiroy admitted in federal court that he failed to do so as required. He also pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Nov. 6, 2019. For the immigration offense, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison, while the failing to update his sex offender registration carries a potential 10-year-term of imprisonment. Both convictions also carry a potential $250,000 maximum fine. Not a U.S. citizen, he is again expected to face deportation proceedings.

Florida corporation, three officers indicted with conspiring to conceal, harbor aliens for profit, making false statements

From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida

Tentlogix, Inc., a Florida corporation headquartered in Fort Piece, Florida and three of its corporate officers, Gary Hendry, Dennis Birdsall and Kent Hughes of Martin County, have been charged by indictment with conspiring to conceal and harbor aliens for the purpose of commercial advantage.  Hendry and Birdsall are also charged with making false statements to a federal agency. 

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

According to the indictment, beginning as early as January 2016, and continuing through March 2018, TentLogix, Hendry, and Birdsall recruited and employed aliens to work for TentLogix knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that many of the aliens had entered and remained in the United States unlawfully, and were not authorized to work in the United States (Case No. 19-14035-CR-ROSENBERG/MAYNARD).  During the course of the conspiracy, a large portion of TentLogix’s workforce in the Southern District of Florida was comprised of aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States.  While TentLogix was being investigated by HSI, Hendry, Birdsall, and Hughes devised a scheme to “transfer” the aliens employed by TentLogix to KH Services, LLC, a company owned by Hughes, so that they no longer appeared on TentLogix’s payroll.  Hughes formed KH Services, LLC for the sole purpose of concealing, harboring, and shielding the aliens employed by TentLogix from HSI’s investigation.  Birdsall directed wire transfers to be sent from TentLogix’s bank account to KH Services, LLC’s bank account on a bi-weekly basis to cover the payroll expenses for the aliens who worked for TentLogix but were purportedly employed by KH Services, LLC.  Between May 2017 and March 2018, TentLogix transferred over $3,000,000 to KH Services, LLC in 23 separate wire transfers for the express purpose of paying aliens employed by TentLogix who were not authorized to work in the United States.

The indictment further alleges that in 2016, TentLogix generated more than $21,000,000 in gross receipts and $10,000,000 in gross profit from its business operations.  In 2017, Tentlogix allegedly generated more than $36,000,000 in gross receipts and $14,000,000 in gross profit from its business operations.  During the course of the conspiracy, a large portion of Tentlogix’s workforce in the Southern District of Florida was comprised of aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. 

If convicted of the conspiracy charge, Hendry, Birdsall, and Hughes face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the loss or twice the gain caused by the offense.  TentLogix faces a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the loss or twice the gain caused by the offense. If convicted of making false statements to a federal agency, Hendry and Birdsall face up to 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the loss or twice the gain caused by the offense.

An indictment merely contains allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of HSI in this matter.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.