Corporation sentenced for unlawfully harboring illegal aliens for financial gain

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — All Around Landscaping (AAL), a Fayetteville corporation, was sentenced today to three years probation for harboring illegal aliens for financial gain, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, with the assistance of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Springdale and Rogers police departments.

Chief U.S. District Judge Jimm Larry Hendren also fined the Corporation $40,000.

On Apr. 21, 2010, the ICE HSI office in Fayetteville initiated an investigation of AAL for knowingly hiring illegal aliens. The company was found to employ approximately 125 employees, of which 38 percent were living and working in the United States in violation of immigration law. The employees had either presented AAL with fraudulent documents or were using other individual's social security cards. One of the illegal alien employees was identified as the company's human resources manager.

On Oct. 22, 2010, as part of a negotiated plea agreement, AAL pled guilty to a one count felony, charging the company with harboring illegal aliens for financial gain. AAL further agreed to forfeit to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), $100,000 in the form of a monetary judgment to represent property derived from the commission of a crime.

"The illegal facilitation of legitimate documents is a serious issue that poses a threat to our homeland security," said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., special agent in charge of ICE HSI in New Orleans. "This investigation demonstrates to individuals who think they can commit such acts without repercussions, our commitment to ensure the integrity of our governmental systems and constant vigilance to our national security."

On July 11, 2011 AAL will forfeit $50,000 to DHS, with the remaining $50,000 to be collected by DHS prior to the end of its period of supervision.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle E. Waters.

For more information, visit www.ice.gov.