Two owners of Abby’s Bakery in Los Fresnos, Texas, were found guilty of harboring illegal aliens and conspiracy to do so after a three-day trial, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Leonardo Baez-Lara, 56, and Alicia Avila-Guel, 46, both legal permanent residents and married to each other, were convicted by a jury that deliberated for about three hours. The couple have operated Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Café in Los Fresnos since 2012.
The investigation began when authorities learned the pair may have been employing and housing people without legal work authorization at their restaurant. During an enforcement action on February 12 at the bakery location, several employees were identified as being illegally present in the United States or holding B1/B2 visas that do not permit employment.
Testimony during the trial revealed that Baez-Lara and Avila-Guel hired these individuals illegally and provided them with living space within the same shopping plaza as the restaurant. Inspectors found a rectangular room with mattresses on the floor where two unauthorized workers lived at the time. The room had previously been used as an insurance office before becoming storage for kitchen equipment. Safety concerns included exposed electrical wires, no fire extinguisher, and only one entrance.
As more unauthorized workers joined the staff, this area was made available to several people lacking legal work status; between five to six adults lived there at times. The head baker reportedly resided there for over two years. Testimony also showed that in four months prior to arrest, hot water was available only twice.
Authorities found two illegal aliens unlawfully present in the country during their enforcement action along with six B1/B2 visa holders working without authorization.
Further evidence showed business practices such as paying employees in cash without proper documentation or following accountant advice against it.
One worker testified he came from Mexico after entering illegally upon a friend’s referral; he was given a job and housing immediately after a brief interview. Another worker who had previously worked at Abby's Bakery without authorization returned after being removed during Covid restrictions—he reentered illegally and resumed his job after contacting Baez-Lara.
Defense arguments claimed shelter rather than harboring was offered; however, jurors rejected this claim.
“The jury’s verdict vindicates the American people’s mandate that our immigration laws be fully enforced,” said Ganjei. “Business owners who put profits over their fellow citizens by harboring illegal aliens should be advised that the Southern District of Texas will not look the other way.”
“The jury’s verdict affirms that the defendants knowingly conspired to harbor individuals in the country illegally, committed two separate acts of harboring, and did so for personal financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) San Antonio. “These actions not only violate federal immigration laws but also exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. This conviction sends a clear message: those who engage in human smuggling and harboring for financial benefit will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., who presided over the trial, set sentencing for November 18. Both defendants face up to ten years in federal prison each plus possible fines up to $250,000 as well as potential loss of residency status.
The case was investigated by ICE-HSI as part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative involving resources from multiple Department of Justice programs aimed at combating illegal immigration activities including organized crime operations.
