Tommy Frank Keaton, Harboring Illegal Aliens, Kansas 2024

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Shawnee man who was co-owner of a roofing company pleaded guilty today to providing employment, transportation and housing for undocumented workers from Mexico who he knew were in the United States illegally, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Tommy Frank Keaton, 71, Shawnee, Kan., co-owner of Canadian West, Inc., and RAM Metal Products, doing business as Century Roofing, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly harboring illegal aliens. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he operated Century Roofing at 6 South 59th St. Lane in Kansas City, Kan.

Keaton provided vehicles to some Mexican citizens who worked for his company, as well as housing at a residence he owned in the 1500 block of South 18th Street in Kansas City, Kan. He admitted that about $1.4 million the government seized from him are the proceeds of the offense and are subject to forfeiture.

A total of $1.4 million were seized from Keaton, which are the proceeds of the offense and are subject to forfeiture. This case highlights the importance of cracking down on those who exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.

The guilty plea was the result of a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Kansas Department of Revenue, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, the Overland Park Police Department, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Lenexa Police Department, the Shawnee Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson for their work on the case.

Keaton is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

A U.S. Attorney Tom Beall commended the agencies involved in the case for their diligent work in bringing this case to justice.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas is committed to protecting the rights and safety of all individuals in Kansas, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who exploit and harm our communities to justice.

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