Father and son restaurateurs from Woburn, Massachusetts, were sentenced in Boston federal court for their involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle migrants into the United States from Brazil. Jesse James Moraes, 67, received an eight-month prison sentence, while his son, Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 45, was sentenced to five months, plus home confinement and a fine.
The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, concluded a case where both Moraes pleaded guilty last year. They admitted to conspiring to bring undocumented migrants to the U.S. illegally for financial gain. Jesse Moraes also faced charges for laundering money associated with their scheme.
Their operation involved recruiting migrants in Brazil and arranging for their unlawful entry into the U.S. The defendants charged each migrant fees ranging between $12,000 and $22,000. They further facilitated fraudulent asylum claims and provided false information to authorities. Once in the U.S., the Moraes offered long-term housing and employment in their restaurants, paying the migrants largely in cash until identification documents were secured.
Additionally, the Moraes encouraged the migrants to obtain fake identification, directing them to co-defendant Marcos Chacon Gil for these services. The smuggling fees could be paid through various arrangements, including wage withholding or contributions from relatives.
Jesse Moraes' money laundering charges stemmed from transactions meant to promote and conceal their smuggling activities.
The case announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and several law enforcement officials, with significant contributions from multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Labor.
