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05/11/2006Two reach plea deal in illegal immigrant caseGRAND RAPIDS — Two people accused of helping illegal immigrants get jobs as contract workers at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa will cooperate with federal authorities as part of a plea deal. Miguel Martinez-Garcia and Ofmara Maltos-Trevino, both of Traverse City, accepted deals to plead guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the unlawful employment of aliens, offers awaiting judicial approval in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. A federal grand jury in March indicted Martinez-Garcia and Maltos-Trevino for unlawfully employing aliens and using fraudulent immigration documents. The two were indicted after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in February netted more than 20 illegal contract workers at the Grand Traverse Resort. They were employed through Rosenbaum-Cunningham International Inc., of Florida. The raid was triggered by information agents received from Juanita "Janie" Schlagel, of Williamsburg, a former state migrant-services worker with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth at a Michigan Works office on Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Schlagel provided information after she allegedly was caught selling Social Security numbers and other documents in a scheme uncovered in spring 2005. Schlagel told investigators that Santiago Echaniz, 41, formerly of Traverse City, worked for RCI Inc., by providing the resort with "numerous illegal aliens." Echaniz denied the allegations. Neither he nor Schlagel have been criminally charged. As part of the deal, both Martinez-Garcia and Maltos-Trevino must "fully" cooperate with other federal agencies in investigations, including the Internal Revenue Service. Martinez-Garcia and Maltos-Trevino each face up to six months in prison and fines. See related stories:
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