A Guatemalan national was arrested in Idaho on federal immigration and employment-related charges following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, according to federal officials.
Brayan Adiel Gramajo-Reyes, 31, was taken into custody Feb. 28 after a federal grand jury in Pocatello returned an indictment charging him with multiple offenses tied to allegedly employing individuals unlawfully present in the United States and submitting false employment verification documents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho said.
Federal prosecutors said the indictment includes two counts of encouraging illegal entry of aliens into the United States, eight counts of making false statements for employment verification by claiming Social Security numbers were valid and employees were authorized to work, and one count of unlawful employment of aliens.
Authorities said the investigation also involved allegations that Gramajo-Reyes persuaded two unaccompanied alien children to travel from Guatemala to the United States with promises of opportunity before requiring them to perform long hours of physical labor after arriving in Idaho.
If convicted on the first ten counts, Gramajo-Reyes faces up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The eleventh count carries a potential sentence of up to six months in prison and a $3,000 fine for each alien unlawfully employed.
Gramajo-Reyes is scheduled to make an initial court appearance March 5 before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond E. Patricco in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.
Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller said investigators view worksite enforcement and trafficking cases as a priority.
“Rescuing unaccompanied children who are tragically exploited and trafficked is a top HSI priority,” Miller said in a statement. “Our investigation underscores HSI’s resolve to enforce U.S. law and safeguard every child. Additionally, worksite enforcement is central to protecting our communities — targeting illegal employment networks, rescuing victims and stopping fraudulent business practices that harm real Americans.”
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations.
U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis said the case was investigated through Idaho’s Homeland Security Task Force, a joint effort involving federal law enforcement agencies.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that an indictment is an allegation of criminal conduct and that Gramajo-Reyes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
