U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Restaurant and Owner Charged With Harboring and Employing Illegal Aliens
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that THAI THAI, LLC. d/b/a Sticky Rice Thai Cuisine and SOMPHON CHIWABANDIT, age 46, a native of Thailand, were charged Monday, January 28, 2019 in a two-count bill of information with harboring and unlawfully employing illegal aliens, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii) and Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324a(a)(1)(A).
According to the bill of information, in the past six months, THAI THAI, LLC. d/b/a Sticky Rice Thai Cuisine, through owner SOMPHON CHIWABANDIT, harbored and employed two illegal aliens at his restaurant.
If convicted of the felony, the company faces up to 5 years of probation, a fine of $500,000, and a $400 special assessment fee. CHIWABANDIT faces up to 6 months of imprisonment, and/or a fine of $5,000, and a special assessment fee of $10, as he is charged with a misdemeanour.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Covington Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
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Updated January 31, 2019
Topic
Immigration
Component