Haleyville couple convicted of sending undocumented workers to poultry plant
An Alabama couple has been convicted of providing undocumented workers to a Georgia-based poultry processing plant for years in a scheme that included false identities, homes for housing workers, and vans that shuttled people around. Deivin Marquitos Escalante-Vasquez, 31, and Crystal Gail Escalante, 38, were convicted on federal charges of conspiring to transport illegal workers and money laundering on Tuesday following a trial before U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler, federal prosecutors said in a statement. Through their staffing company, The Grand Family Enterprise, the two were accused of using false names and vans to send workers to a Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Jasper over a three-year period during which prosecutors said the couple received $16 million. Workers lived in houses owned by their company, authorities alleged. The couple filled multiple shifts at the plant with undocumented workers, many of whom were from Guatemala, who were working under false identities, prosecutors said. The couple changed the names of workers when needed to get them through a digital identity verification system, E-Verify, and kept workers on their payroll even when they couldn’t get through the system. “This conviction demonstrates how individuals willing to break the law can take advantage of immigration laws for personal gain,” U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona said in a statement. The defense portrayed the Haleyville couple as solid citizens, and Mar-Jac said it didn’t know of any illegal activity, WBMA-TV reported. The two could each face a penalty of 30 years in prison, and prosecutors said they will try to seize properties, vehicles, and bank accounts from the couple. With headquarters in Gainesville, Georgia, Mar-Jac describes itself as an integrated poultry processing company that ships products worldwide. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama tax preparer indicted in tax fraud case
The owner and operator of a tax preparation service in Alabama has been indicted in a federal fraud case. A grand jury handed up a 37-count indictment against Ametra Q. Wooden, Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and IRS Criminal Investigations Atlanta Field Office Special Agent in Charge James Dorsey said in a joint news release Wednesday. It was not immediately known if Wooden has an attorney who could speak on her behalf. Wooden, 33, is charged with 35 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns and two counts of willfully failing to file personal income tax returns. If convicted, she faces a maximum of three years in prison on each of the aiding and assisting charges and a $250,000 fine and up to a year on each of the failing to file charges, and a $100,000 fine. According to the indictment, Wooden owned and operated A Plus Tax Experts & Financial Services, a tax preparation firm with locations in Birmingham and Jasper. Her alleged crimes occurred on behalf of clients for the tax years 2014 through 2017. And, in 2014 and 2016, she allegedly failed to file personal tax returns, federal authorities said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Attorney to oversee election complaints in north Alabama
An assistant U.S. attorney will oversee the Justice Department’s handling of fraud and voting rights complaints in north Alabama during the upcoming election. The U.S. attorney’s office in Birmingham says Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Cheek will serve as the region’s elections officer. The appointment is part of a long-running program to monitor Election Day activities. U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona, who announced Cheek’s appointment on Wednesday, says anyone with information about fraud or discrimination should notify Justice Department officials. Things like intimidating voters at polling places, buying votes, or stuffing ballot boxes are all prohibited. The FBI will also have special agents available nationwide to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Nov. 3. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
