LINCOLN — A 22-year-old man accused of providing people living in the U.S. illegally to businesses in O’Neill, Nebraska, has made a plea deal.
U.S. District Court records say 22-year-old Antonio De Jesus Castro pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lincoln to conspiracy to harbor aliens. The records say prosecutors agreed not to prosecute him for other crimes, including fraud and money laundering, in return for his plea.
Castro was among those indicted in connection with Aug. 8 raids that targeted businesses in Nebraska and Minnesota, including some in O’Neill.
Officials say the business owners and operators knowingly hired people who are in the U.S. illegally. More than 130 workers were arrested during the raid.
The raid culminated 15 months of investigation and was described by Homeland Security Investigations as one of the largest in the agency’s 15-year history.
Castro’s sentencing is scheduled for March 8.
