John Washburn, the general manager of San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings in El Cajon, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to hiring undocumented immigrants. The plea agreement revealed that Washburn was aware that at least 10 workers were undocumented and three were residing in a company warehouse where U.S. Navy submarine components were stored.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at the company's warehouses in March, leading to these charges. Washburn was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major to one year of probation and 50 hours of community service.
The plea agreement also detailed communications between Washburn and other managers about employees with problematic paperwork, indicating they lacked valid work authorization documents. In 2024, discussions took place regarding assigning employees with proper documentation to work on a military base due to additional screening requirements for restricted areas.
The investigation is led by Homeland Security Investigations San Diego with assistance from multiple agencies including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, GSA - Office of Inspector General, United States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection ERO, NCIS, SBA – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Field Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry F.B. Beshar and Michael A. Deshong are prosecuting the case against Washburn under Case Number 25mj1458-BLM.
Washburn faced charges for engaging in a pattern or practice of employing aliens without authorization under Title 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(a)(1)(A) and (f), which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $3,000 fine per alien.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime through resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
