UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	JANUARY 29, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

ALABASTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OWNER
CHARGED WITH EMPLOYING ILLEGAL ALIENS

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - BEVERLY LINAN, 38, of Alabaster, Alabama, was charged in a three-count indictment filed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham.  United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama and Michael A. Holt, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) announce that LINAN is charged with harboring and employing illegal aliens. LINAN owned and operated Rodriguez Construction Company with offices in Alabaster.  Rodriguez Construction performed masonry work throughout the Jefferson and Shelby County areas. 

            Count One charged LINAN with harboring illegal aliens, and Count Two with knowingly employing illegal aliens.  Count Three charged LINAN in a forfeiture count to recover profits made from employing illegal aliens.  If convicted of all counts, LINAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years and fines of $250,000.

            “The knowing employment of illegal aliens not only takes jobs from hardworking Americans, it is against the law.  All of the illegal aliens working for Rodriguez Construction were arrested by I.C.E. and are in the process of being deported to their home countries,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. 

“Employment is a primary driving force behind illegal immigration,” said Michael Holt, Special Agent in Charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in New Orleans. “No employer, regardless of industry, size, type or location is immune from complying with the nation's laws. ICE and our law enforcement partners will continue to bring all of our authorities to bear in this fight using criminal charges, asset seizures, administrative arrests and deportations.”

            This case was investigated by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Alabaster Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael W. Whisonant is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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