Two owners of the southern Texas bakery are guilty of hiding and housing employees in the United States illegally, and the jury found Wednesday afternoon after a trial that lasted only three days.
Leonardo Pies and Nora Avila JoelA Mexican couple with legal permanent residence in the United States was charged, after they were arrested in their bakery with eight employees in February. It is a rare case in which business owners are accused of criminal crimes instead of just a fine.
Six employees had visas for visitors, and two were illegally in the country. None of them had to work in US employees in a room with six beds and two bathrooms participated in the same building as the bakery, according to the federal written statement.
Paes and Avila Joel tried this week in Bronzville, a border city about 20 minutes drive southeast of the Los Fressan bakery. The jury from five government witnesses, including the agent who was present during the raid, in front of the American provincial judge, Fernando Rodriguez Junior, did not provide any witnesses.
Videos of interviews with employees in the country were played without visas or work permit during the trial. Both employees said they were not detained against their will and were compensated for their work Local reports.
Beese and Afila Joel were allowed to return to work while waiting for the trial. When they reopened their bakery in April, the company had a steady flow of customers who were returning to provide their support. Their release of the bonds will continue until the referee, which is scheduled to be held in November.