During a multi-state operation led by special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a series of criminal arrest warrants were executed Wednesday for 17 individuals connected to an alleged criminal conspiracy to exploit illegal alien laborers for profit, fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in Nebraska and Minnesota.
Search warrants were served at the following businesses and locations:
Christensen Farms with numerous locations in Appleton, Minnesota; Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; and Atkinson, Nebraska;
Elkhorn River Farms in O’Neill, Nebraska;
O’Neill Ventures in O’Neill, Nebraska;
La Herradura Restaurant in O’Neill, Nebraska;
El Mercadito (grocery store) in O’Neill, Nebraska;
A private ranch in O’Neill, Nebraska;
La Herradura Restaurant in Stromsburg, Nebraska;
GJW LLC with three locations in Ainsworth, Nebraska;
J.E. Meurets Grain Company in Ainsworth, Nebraska;
Herd Co Cattle Company in Bartlett, Nebraska; and
Long Pine (farm) in Royal, Nebraska.
During the execution of these search warrants Aug. 8, 133 illegal workers were administratively arrested for immigration violations; some will be issued notices to appear before a federal immigration judge and released from custody; the rest will remain in ICE custody pending immigration court proceedings.
Latest on Immigration Raid in North Central Nebraska
