Two Yakima residents, Cesar Jamie Rebolledo Diaz and Socorro Ramos, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including forced labor, victim tampering, aggravated identity theft, mail fraud, and wire fraud. The indictment was returned on February 11, 2026. Law enforcement agencies are currently seeking to execute arrest warrants for both individuals.
According to the indictment, Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos allegedly obtained 103 temporary work visas through the H-2A program by falsely claiming employment with Marquez Farms LLC in Wapato, Washington. Authorities allege that Ramos also misrepresented herself as the co-owner of Marquez Farms LLC while working to secure these visas.
The indictment further states that the two recruited foreign workers from Mexico under false promises of paid employment at Marquez Farms LLC. The workers were told they would receive adequate housing, food, paid travel and visas, as well as predictable work locations and hours. Instead, after being transported in overcrowded school buses lacking air conditioning or water from the U.S.-Mexico border to Eastern Washington, some workers reportedly found no employment waiting for them while others worked without pay. In addition, many did not consistently receive food or proper housing.
When state authorities began investigating conditions for these workers, Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos allegedly instructed them to remain silent and report any colleagues who interacted with investigators.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano stated: “My office is committed to seeking justice for these vulnerable victims and protecting the integrity of a federal program vital to the success of our agricultural sector in the Eastern District of Washington.”
Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito said: “The Office of Inspector General is unwavering in our commitment to protect the integrity of the Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Certification programs. When bad actors exploit vulnerable workers or attempt to game the system, we investigate, we expose, and we hold them accountable. At the same time, we safeguard the U.S. employers who follow the law and play by the rules. We will continue working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure these programs serve legitimate labor needs — not criminal enterprises. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”
The charges are accusations only; evidence must be presented at trial for a jury to determine guilt or innocence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten, Jeremy J. Kelley, and Tyler H.L. Tornabene are prosecuting this case following an investigation by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Department of State Diplomatic Security Service.
