A Texas carnival business owner has been charged with serious crimes against migrant workers, highlighting the darker side of the traveling carnival industry.
Angel Reyes Isidro, a 41-year-old Mexican national residing in the United States, appeared in federal court in Houston, facing allegations of fraud in foreign labor contracting, false statements, and mail fraud. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the indictment, which marks a significant blow to the carnival industry.
The indictment alleges that Isidro operated and managed J&G Concessions LLC in Houston, submitting falsified temporary employment applications to the United States in order to obtain H-2B visas for foreign seasonal workers in 2019. Once the workers arrived, Isidro allegedly charged them illegal fees, paid them below the required minimum wage, and used threats of deportation and loss of future employment opportunities to coerce them into working in horrible conditions.
The court heard testimony that Isidro posed a serious flight risk, risk of obstructing justice, and a danger to the community. Judge Bryan also noted that Isidro possessed a firearm, which he allegedly used to threaten workers. Furthermore, Isidro was accused of sexually harassing his female temporary workers, assaulting one of them, and retaliating against the victimized workers.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations as part of the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Lu and Khoa Tran are prosecuting the case.
Isidro faces up to 20 years in federal prison for mail fraud and a maximum of 10 years if convicted of visa fraud. He could also be ordered to pay $250,000 in fines for each conviction. The remaining counts carry a five-year-maximum term of imprisonment. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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