Traveling carnival business owner charged for crimes against migrant workers

HOUSTON – A Mexican national residing in the United States has made an appearance in federal court on allegations of fraud in foreign labor contracting, false statements and mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

The indictment alleges Angel Reyes Isidro aka Angel Reyes or Lucas Isidro Reyes, 41, operated and managed J&G Concessions LLC in Houston. In 2019, Reyes allegedly submitted falsified temporary employment applications to the United States to obtain H-2B visas for foreign seasonal workers. Upon the workers arrival, Reyes charged them illegal fees, paid them below what was required and made threats of deportation and loss of future employment opportunities to cause them to work despite horrible working conditions, according to the charges.

During the hearing, Judge Bryan heard Reyes poses a serious flight risk, risk of obstructing justice and is a danger to the community. The court heard Reyes also possessed a firearm, which he allegedly used to threaten workers. Testimony further alleged Reyes sexually harassed his female temporary workers, assaulted one of them and threatened and retaliated against the victimized workers.

From 2022 to the time of his arrest April 28, Reyes allegedly continued to operate his carnival business with unauthorized workers.

Reyes faces up to 20 years in federal prison for mail fraud and a maximum of 10 if convicted of visa fraud. He could also be ordered to $250,000 in fines for each conviction. The remaining counts carry a five-year-maximum term of imprisonment.

The Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations as part of the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Lu and Khoa Tran are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.