United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that O’Neill Ventures, Inc., a tomato greenhouse and packing plant located in O’Neill, Nebraska, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 for their role in a conspiracy to harbor undocumented aliens with Juan Pablo Sanchez-Delgado. Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard handed down the sentence. The corporation was sentenced to a fine of $400,000 due immediately. The maximum fine authorized by law for this offense is $500,000. The ordered fine exceeded the recommended sentencing guidelines range of $70,000 to $140,000. Chief Judge Gerrard found that the higher fine amount was warranted due to the conditions at the tomato plant for its workers. In addition, the corporation must allow Homeland Security Investigations to conduct reviews and inspections of their labor practices and hiring processes during a probationary term as outlined in the agreement.
On August 8, 2018, agents and officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant at O’Neill Ventures, Inc., and found that undocumented alien workers comprised approximately 70% of the company’s work force on that date.
This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
