Feds Raid Pilgrim’s Pride Plant

http://www.greenepublishing.com/news.html

April 23rd, 2008

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Federal agents raided Pilgrim’s Pride in Suwannee County last Wednesday, April 16, as part of a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement target operation.
   The plant, located east of Madison County, in the Ellaville area just across the Suwannee County, was raided, along with poultry plants in four other states as authorities attempted to end an alleged scam to provide false identification for illegal immigrant employees.
   Other plants targeted include the Mount Pleasant, Texas; Batesville, Ark.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Moorefield, W.Va. locations.
   There were more than 280 arrests nationwide and reportedly 15 arrests at the Suwannee County chicken processing plant.
   Barbara Gonzales, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement regional communications director for the Southeast, was reported as saying that the operation was based on intelligence. She said federal agents were targeting those believed to be involved in identity theft and that many of those arrested are facing criminal prosecution. The ones arrested in Suwannee County are being processed for being in the country illegal and are going to be presented criminally for federal prosecution.
   The Suwannee County facility consists of a processing plant, feed mill, hatchery and distribution centers, employing more than 1,600 people and contracting with 167 family farmers in the North Florida area to raise chickens for the processing plant.