Texas-based bail bondswoman sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment for smuggling hundreds of aliens into the US

From the ICE Newsroom:

NEW YORK — Pursuant to an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, Hema Patel, 51, a Texas-based bail bondswoman, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for her role in smuggling hundreds of illegal aliens into the United States. Patel was also ordered to forfeit her Texas residence, two hotels, $7.2 million in bail bonds, $400,000 in cash and 11 gold bars, among other assets. On June 7, 2018, Patel pleaded guilty to alien smuggling for financial gain by fraudulently bonding illegal aliens from immigration custody and causing their release into the United States.

“In a classic example of how criminal networks exploit loopholes in our nation’s immigration system to make a profit while threatening the national security of the United States, Hema Patel and her human smuggling co-conspirators manufactured fraudulent bond documents to secure the release of undocumented aliens that were smuggled through the southwest border by an international criminal network,” stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Melendez. “HSI remains steadfast in its commitment to secure our nation’s legitimate travel, trade and finance by going after transnational criminal networks, their facilitators and their ill-gained assets.”

“For her personal financial gain, defendant Hema Patel arranged to have hundreds of aliens smuggled into the United States, completely by-passing the visa application and eligibility requirements,” stated Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “She will now pay the price for placing the safety and security of the residents of our communities at risk. Border security is a top priority of the Department of Justice.” (read the rest here)

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.