The owners of a bakery in Los Fresnos, Texas, have been indicted for allegedly harboring illegal aliens. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the charges against Leonardo Baez and Alicia Avila-Guel, both legal permanent residents of the United States.
Baez, 55, and Avila-Guel, 46, were initially charged following a lawful enforcement action on February 12. A federal grand jury has since returned a three-count indictment against them. They are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III on March 13.
According to the charges, Baez and Avila-Guel have owned Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Café since 2012. The investigation began when authorities discovered they were potentially employing and housing illegal aliens at their restaurant.
The charges allege that during a consensual worksite enforcement action at Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Café, law enforcement identified several employees who were in the United States illegally or under B1/B2 visas without work authorization.
Both Baez and Avila-Guel are accused of illegally hiring these individuals while providing them shelter. Law enforcement reportedly found a room in the same shopping plaza as the restaurant housing two unauthorized employees with six mattresses on the floor.
The enforcement action revealed two illegal aliens unlawfully present in the country and six B1/B2 Visa holders without work rights. Another person was taken into custody on an unrelated outstanding warrant.
Arrest warrants for Baez and Avila-Guel were executed on February 19; no other individuals were detained at that time.
If convicted, they face up to ten years in federal prison along with fines up to $250,000.
Homeland Security Investigations led the inquiry into this case.
It is important to note that an indictment is not evidence but a formal accusation of criminal conduct. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process of law.