Human Trafficking—Arevalo‑Mendez Brothers

On Friday, two brothers from Mexico entered pleas of guilty to human trafficking by harboring illegal aliens and committing identity fraud in connection with their Arkansas construction business.^[1] Twenty‑four other people arrested in the immigration raid on Arevalo Framing Associates in Springdale, Arkansas last July agreed to deportation.^[2] Authorities claim that the business earned $1.8 million in 2005.^[3]

Alejandro Arevalo-Mendez admitted to two counts of bringing in and harboring aliens by transport and aiding and abetting, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(B)(1).^[4] In his plea agreement, he stated that he had employed, housed, and transported illegal aliens who were employed in his construction business.^[5] Mr. Arevalo‑Mendez also admitted that he had entered the country illegally.^[6]

The maximum penalties for bringing in and harboring aliens include imprisonment of up to 10 years per count and/or a fine of up to $250,000 per count.

Rodrigo Arevalo‑Mendez admitted to identity theft by use of a “means of identification of another person” with the intent to violate a federal law or commit a state felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(7).^[7] He also pled guilty to a second charge of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5).^[8]

During a consent search of Mr. Arevalo‑Mendez’s residence, authorities found an Arkansas driver’s license in his wallet bearing a false name and birth date.^[9] Officers also found a Maverick 12‑gauge shotgun on the premises.

The maximum penalty for identity fraud in which the individual does not use the fake identification to obtain anything of value amounting to $1,000 or more during a 1‑year period is up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fines.^[10] The government did not link the driver’s license to the profits of the business. The gun charge entails a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and/or fines.

---

[1] Sharon C. Fitzgerald, Springdale: 2 in Immigration Raid at Firm Plead Guilty, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Oct. 21, 2006.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] U.S. v. Alejandro Arevalo‑Mendez, 5:06-cr-50044-JLH, Docket Entry # 32 (W.D. AK, Oct. 20, 2006).
[5] U.S. v. Alejandro Arevalo‑Mendez, 5:06-cr-50044-JLH, Plea Agreement, Docket Entry # 33 (W.D. AK, Oct. 20, 2006).
[6] Id.
[7] U.S. v. Rodrigo Arevalo‑Mendez, 5:06-cr-50040-JLH, Docket Entry # 31 (W.D. AK, Oct. 20, 2006).
[8] U.S. v. Rodrigo Arevalo‑Mendez, 5:06-cr-50040-JLH, Plea Agreement, Docket Entry # 32W.D. AK, Oct. 20, 2006).
[9] Id.
[10] 18 U.S.C. § 1028(b)(2)(B).