Texas Company Indicted For Harboring Illegal Aliens, Not Verifying Status

GPX, a Texas-based seismic surveying company, and a field operations supervisor were indicted for harboring and transporting 19 illegal aliens, and for failing to verify their immigration status. GPX faces a possible maximum fine of $10 million if convicted while the supervisor, Douglas Wiggill, could face a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison and a fine of $5 million.

According to the grand jury indictment, GPX and Wiggill allegedly hired 19 illegal aliens in June 2011 to work on a seismic surveying project for the oil and gas industry in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. GPX was said to have executed a contractor compliance agreement certifying that all personnel were authorized to work legally in the U.S. when, in fact, they were not. Wiggill was responsible for hiring the illegal workers and providing for their housing and transportation.

Local police in Williamsport, Pennsylvania tipped off ICE officials about the presence of illegal aliens after one, Adrian Arriaga-Castro, was accused of luring a 12-year-old city girl into his pickup truck and harassing her. ICE subsequently apprehended nine Mexican foreign nationals at a local apartment complex and began an investigation that resulted in the grand jury indictment made public on May 29, 2012. The trial will begin in July.

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