Operator Of Illegal Alien Employment Business In Scranton Sentenced In Federal Court

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that an operator of an illegal alien employment business in Scranton was sentenced Thursday in federal court before Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo.

     Rama Putra, age 32, residing in Scranton, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Putra also faces possible deportation.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Putra engaged in a conspiracy to promote and conceal the profits of a temporary employment agency known as “H&Y Staffing, Inc.” operating out of a Scranton address which recruited, employed, and transported an illegal work force. “H&Y Staffing, Inc.” provided dozens of illegal temporary employees to businesses in the Scranton area over a period of several years. Putra, in furtherance of the conspiracy, allegedly provided transportation for the illegal workers, paid the illegal work force in cash on a weekly basis, and cashed checks from local businesses at check cashing services located in Philadelphia as part of the scheme to conceal and promote the underlying criminal activity.

     Putra was indicted in October 2012 and pleaded guilty in January 2013 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and the employment and transportation of illegal aliens. 

     The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police.

     Prosecution was assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.