A 48-page indictment was unsealed this week in Newport News, Virginia, and it named 11 people who are charged with helping over 140 Israeli citizens stay illegally in the U.S. The indictment also named three companies. One of those people named in the indictment owns property in Wake County, North Carolina, worth an estimated $1.3 million.
According to federal prosecutors, the scheme was to bring the people over to the U.S., and they were put to work selling skin-care products that were made in Israel in the Dead Sea are. The workers were here on B-2 tourist visas, which do not allow people to work. The people allegedly did not pay federal income tax and their pay was not reported. In addition, the men named in the indictment are also accused of extending the workers’ tourist visas with false applications. They said the workers were not working here.
Federal prosecutors want to confiscate over $14.5 million in assets from the kiosk businesses. That includes cars and apartments located in several states.
The 36-year-old man from Wake County is currently in the Wake County Detention Center. There is no bail in his case.
This case will likely take quite some time to conclude, as it appears to be very complicated. In federal cases, it is important to have a lawyer who is experienced in federal court. The court practices are different and a knowledge of them is needed.
Because federal charges can have significant penalties, including long prison terms, your attorney could attempt to work out a plea bargain with the prosecution. However, not all plea bargains are in the best interests of the defense and should be discussed at length with your attorney.
Source: The News and Observer, “U.S. indictment charges Raleigh man in scheme to bring illegal workers from Israel,” Ron Gallagher, March 03, 2016