Alamdar Hamdani U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
The owners of a bakery in Los Fresnos, Texas, have been indicted for allegedly harboring illegal aliens. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Leonardo Baez and Alicia Avila-Guel, both legal permanent residents of the United States, were charged following a lawful enforcement action on February 12.
The two are accused of operating Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Café since 2012 and allegedly employing individuals who were not authorized to work in the United States. The charges stem from an investigation where authorities reportedly discovered that Baez and Avila-Guel were housing illegal aliens within their establishment.
Law enforcement conducted a consensual worksite enforcement action at the bakery and café, identifying several employees who were either illegally present in the country or holding B1/B2 visas without employment rights. The criminal complaint details how law enforcement found a room provided for employees in the same shopping plaza as the restaurant, which was housing two unauthorized workers at the time of inspection.
During this operation, authorities identified two individuals unlawfully present in the United States and six B1/B2 visa holders working without authorization. An unrelated individual was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.
Baez and Avila-Guel face potential penalties including up to 10 years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000 if convicted. Arrest warrants for both were executed on February 19, with no additional detentions made during that time.
Homeland Security Investigations led the inquiry into these allegations. It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct; defendants remain innocent until proven guilty through due process.
