Arizona motel owners sentenced for using businesses to harbor illegal aliens

http://www.borderfirereport.net/latest/arizona-motel-owners-sentenced-for-using-businesses-to-harbor-illegal-aliens.html ^ | 3/31/08

[Sammy67]

Monday, 31 March 2008

ICE-led probe results in criminal and civil forfeitures of more than $1 million

PHOENIX - A federal judge has sentenced the last of the 13 owners and former owners of six motels in Mesa, Ariz., who were indicted after a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed they were using their businesses to harbor illegal aliens in support of organized human smuggling. U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone imposed sentences of probation, fines and forfeiture on the final two defendants in the case March 26. The owners of the motels on Mesa's Main Street were charged in separate indictments with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens following a nine-month ICE undercover investigation. The combined criminal and civil forfeiture in the cases totaled $1.3 million.

According to the indictments, on numerous occasions the defendants rented rooms to undercover officers posing as human smugglers, with some charging the smugglers higher rates than their ordinary customers. The indictments described how some of the defendants coached the undercover officers on ways to conceal their smuggling activities, advising them to register under false names, rent multiple rooms, and park their vehicles in places that would avoid

[Sammy67]

60%-70% of U.S. Motels and Hotels are owned by Middle Eastern business man. Many are involved in aiding illegal immigrants other than Hispanic.

[vpintheak]

Hang ‘em high! It’s a good start.

[Califreak]

This is great, but when they crack down is it only going to be the “little” guy?

[Ben Ficklin]

"is it only going to be the little guy"

Which two GOP presidential candidates utilized illegal laborers.

[Biblebelter]

When an illegal invader crosses our border, that ia just the FIRST crime. As this story highlights, it sets in motion a endless string of crimes which involve a lot more people than the original invader.

[Ultimatum]

hopefully this is just one of thousands that will be checked!!!

[Captain Rhino]

Right you are.

Just read the ICE Press Release on this case for proof:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080331phoenix.htm

The surnames of all the convicted persons are South Asian - but not necessarily Muslim.

[ApplegateRanch]

60%-70% of U.S. Motels and Hotels are owned by Middle Eastern business man.

Ah, yes. The infamous "Patel Cartel". ;-)

Call me racist & bigotted, but I try to find locally owned motels whose owners/management are racist & bigotted enough to advertise "American owned & managed".

A mention of veteran status (& an flying American flag) by the owner is a bonus.

[Califreak]

Romney was one wasn’t he?

I forget the other one.

Tried to look it up.

[Ben Ficklin]

Romney and Tancredo

[gitmo]

Those sentences seem mighty light for harboring invaders.

[Califreak]

Tancredo?

Whoa. I figured it was Guiliani or a dem.

[Captain Rhino]

Agree, but the law specifies the penalties and the adjustments that are made to them in aggravating and mitigating circumstances. I’m assuming they probably didn’t have any priors and so qualified for less than the maximum sentence.

My feeling is that, between now being convicted felons and the fines and forfitures, ICE effectively put them out of business. If they are not citizens, they will also probably be making a one-way trip out of the country.

[HiJinx]

Ping!