Jose Sanchez-Ocampo, 37, of Buffalo, NY, has admitted to running a shadow workforce at Don Tequila Restaurant by illegally hiring 10 undocumented immigrants over a 12-month stretch. The restaurant manager pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully employ illegal aliens, a federal charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The plea was entered before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., in Buffalo federal court. Sanchez-Ocampo, who managed Don Tequila Restaurant on Allen Street, exploited his position to bring in unauthorized workers not only at that location but at other eateries as well, according to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Counihan.
Investigators say the scheme allowed the restaurants to cut labor costs while avoiding federal employment verification rules. Sanchez-Ocampo knowingly bypassed I-9 requirements, putting the businesses in violation of immigration and labor laws. The workers, unable to legally work in the U.S., were at risk of exploitation and paid below-market wages.
The case emerged from a joint investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations—led by Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly—and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Authorities uncovered payroll records, employment logs, and witness statements linking Sanchez-Ocampo directly to the hiring ring.
No charges were filed against the restaurant owners or corporate entities, but prosecutors emphasized that managerial complicity in immigration fraud will be met with federal consequences. The investigation is part of a broader DOJ push to target employers who profit from illicit labor networks.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Geraci. Sanchez-Ocampo remains free on bond but faces potential prison time and steep financial penalties as federal authorities continue to crack down on underground employment schemes in Western New York.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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