Baez and Avila-Guel, Harboring Illegal Aliens, Texas 2024

Bakery owners Leonardo Baez, 55, and Alicia Avila-Guel, 46, have been accused of harboring illegal aliens at their Los Fresnos, Texas bakery.

According to a federal indictment, the pair allegedly employed and housed individuals in the United States illegally or with B1/B2 visas without the right to work at Abby's Bakery and Dulce's Café.

The charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, were unsealed in U.S. District Court in Brownsville, Texas.

The investigation, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, began after authorities allegedly discovered the pair were potentially employing and housing illegal aliens within their restaurant.

A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Baez and Avila-Guel after a lawful enforcement action on February 12, 2024.

The indictment alleges that law enforcement conducted a consensual worksite enforcement action at Abby's Bakery and Dulce's Café, where they allegedly identified several employees and others who were in the United States illegally or in the country under B1/B2 visas without having the right to work.

The pair are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III on March 13, 2024.

Leonardo Baez and Alicia Avila-Guel, who have owned and operated Abby's Bakery and Dulce's Café in Los Fresnos since 2012, face up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Their arrest warrants were executed on February 19, 2024.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/bakery-owners-indicted-harboring-illegal-aliens-0