It’s a grim tale of exploitation at the dinner table, as six members of the Castro family find themselves ensnared in a federal conspiracy to hire undocumented workers. United States Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach announced that a grand jury has returned a 23-count indictment against Miguel Castro, age 44, Monica Castro, age 43, Cesar Castro, age 28, Aldo Castro, age 42, Pedro Cervantes, age 39, and Gustavo Torres, age 45, all charged in the case.
The defendants, owners and managers of the “Mariachi Locos” and “Mariachi Cocos” chain, are accused of paying their workers less than minimum wage, sometimes only in tips, and harboring them to avoid detection. They stand accused of using cash payments, leasing housing, and providing fraudulent work documentation to shield these workers from immigration authorities.
Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit over $16 million in profits generated by the restaurants through this illegal labor practice. The investigation was a joint effort between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General.
Marlon Miller, special agent in charge of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, emphasized the gravity of the offense: “The owners and managers of these restaurants took advantage of their workers’ immigration status for their own profit. Employers have a legal responsibility to protect the integrity of their workforce.”
The indictment lists charges including conspiracy to harbor undocumented aliens, aiding and abetting, harboring aliens, mail fraud, and making false statements to federal law enforcement officers. The severity of the penalties could vary widely depending on the Court’s review of each defendant’s role in the offense.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to for profit at the expense of vulnerable workers. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Bell and Phillip J. Tripi are handling the prosecution, which begins with the understanding that an indictment is only a charge and not proof of guilt; defendants are entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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