Only executive indicted in nation’s largest workplace immigration raid pleads guilty

Manager pleads guilty in Miss. immigration raid

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The only company executive indicted in the nation’s largest workplace raid on illegal immigrants has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.

Jose Humberto Gonzalez pleaded guilty Wednesday to one charge of a 12-count indictment that alleged he knowingly hired illegal immigrants at Howard Industries, where he was personnel director.

Prosecutors would not discuss details of the plea agreement.

More than 600 were arrested in the August 2008 raid on the maker of electrical transformers in Laurel. Several illegal immigrants have been convicted of identity theft and deported, but Gonzalez was the only company official charged. He refused to comment as he left the federal courthouse.

He faces up to five years on the conspiracy charge at his sentencing on March 31.