ICE investigation leads to multiple arrests at Lindon, Utah, business

Company and managers charged with harboring illegal aliens and encouraging workers to stay in the U.S. illegally

SALT LAKE CITY - As part of an ongoing criminal investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), two indictments were unsealed today in Salt Lake City charging a Lindon, Utah, company and its human resource director with harboring illegal aliens and encouraging or inducing workers to stay in the United States illegally.

The first indictment charges Universal Industrial Sales, Inc., with 10 counts of harboring illegally aliens, all of whom have been or are employees of the company, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that these individuals had come into and remained in the United States in violation of federal law. The indictment alleges the company concealed, harbored or shielded the workers from detection for commercial advantage. The indictment, which lists unidentified workers, relates to conduct occurring between January 2003 and December 2006. A summons has been issued to the company to appear for an initial appearance in federal court at 10 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2008. The potential maximum penalty for each count in the indictment is a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of any pecuniary gain stemming from the offense, whichever is greater.

According to its website, Universal Industrial Sales, Inc., was founded in 1978 and employees more than 100 individuals. The company manufactures guardrails, bridge rails and sign structures, among other things.

The second indictment charges Alejandro "Alex" Urrutia-Garcia, age 39, of Provo, Utah, with two counts of encouraging or inducing illegal aliens to remain in the United States unlawfully. Urrutia-Garcia, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is the human resources director at Universal Industrial Sales. He was arrested this morning during a law enforcement action at the company. The maximum potential penalty for the charges in this indictment is 10 years in prison per count. Urrutia-Garcia will appear for an initial appearance in federal court today at 2:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Nuffer.