A Michigan couple, Moises Orduna-Rios, 36, and Raquel Orduna-Rios, 30, have been arrested and charged with several offenses related to employing unauthorized immigrants and money laundering. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York announced the charges on Tuesday.
The charges include conspiracy, transporting and harboring unauthorized aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain, conspiracy to bring in, harbor, and transport unauthorized aliens, employment of at least 10 unauthorized aliens within a 12-month period, engaging in a pattern or practice of employing unauthorized aliens, as well as money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $3,000 fine for each unauthorized alien employed.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, Orduna Plumbing Inc., led by Moises Orduna-Rios as president and Raquel Orduna-Rios as treasurer and secretary, is based in Michigan but operates across several states including New York, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Investigators allege that from January 2022 through December 2024 the company employed approximately 253 individuals. Only six were confirmed to be legally permitted to work in the United States. The complaint states that the defendants collected passports from unauthorized workers and housed them in crowded conditions such as shared houses or hotel rooms.
Authorities estimate that between January 1, 2022 and August 7, 2025 the company generated about $74 million in customer revenue. During their investigation U.S. Border Patrol agents along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained 23 unauthorized workers associated with Orduna Plumbing at locations including Buffalo (New York), Rochester (New York), and Charlotte (North Carolina).
Communications obtained by investigators included group chat messages from Moises Orduna-Rios advising employees on how to avoid detection by law enforcement: “Gentlemen, with all the controversy that is going on, its better to get ready, drive the speed limit, limit yourselves going to the store, only do minimal running of errands, and do not have any gatherings such as barbeques…”
In summer 2025 Border Patrol executed a search warrant at a residence in Rochester where nine individuals living there were found illegally present in the United States.
A financial review revealed that employees known to be illegally present were paid through multiple bank accounts controlled by Moises Orduna-Rios and Raquel Orduna-Rios.
Both defendants made their initial court appearance today in federal court for the Eastern District of Michigan where they were released on conditions pending further proceedings. They are scheduled for an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen in New York’s Western District on December 2.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration activities alongside cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol (Rochester Station), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division; additional support came from Customs & Border Protection agencies.
“The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
