Federal authorities arrested 32 people recently on federal conspiracy charges. The charges were filed under the well-known federal RICO law. RICO is short for racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations.
Some of those arrested were from nearby Port Arthur, and many of those arrested have ties to Houston and other parts of Texas. Along with other federal and state agencies, the Beaumont police were involved in the investigation of this case.
The government also charged those accused with conspiring to bring and keep immigrants in the United States despite those immigrants not having legal documentation.
According to the government’s court filings, those involved were operating employment placement agencies that attracted illegal aliens. They would offer these people work in Chinese restaurants.
The government theorizes that the status of these people allowed others to force them to work hours well over the maximum 40 hours a week without paying them overtime.
While they received housing in overcrowded shelters, the government says workers did not get other benefits. Authorities claim workers received less than minimum wage and were not allowed to keep tips.
On the other hand, since the workers allegedly received payments in cash, those who used their services could do so without having to pay certain federal and state taxes and other employment-related costs.
Federal conspiracy charges can trap people with little to do with the allegations
The charges these people face are serious. They could face decades in prison over them as well as fines.
It is important to keep in mind that the law gives the government the ability to cast a very wide net over an alleged conspiracy. Some of those accused may have had little or nothing to do with the charged criminal behavior.
The federal government often uses conspiracy charges when prosecuting white collar crimes. As with any charge, they must be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and they must do so in accord with the Constitution and other laws.
Those in Texas facing a federal or even state-level conspiracy charge should make sure they understand their rights and options early in the case.