Several people connected to a Sioux Falls business are facing charges for allegedly harboring illegal workers.
The scheme centers around a restaurant called Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet.
Court documents identified three suspects as owner Hui Weng, manager Min Lin and a third defendant, Jin Ju Pan. They each face multiple counts of harboring aliens and other related charges. A fourth defendant is listed in the indictment but their name is redacted.
Investigators say the suspects worked together to encourage people to come to the United States illegally and work for the restaurant without documentation. The scheme took place between 2014 and 2023.
They owned the residences the workers lived in and charged them for food, transportation and housing. Court documents say they also threatened to call immigration services if workers did not work hard or do as they were told.
If the suspects are convicted, the indictment calls for the forfeiture of several assets obtained illegally, including nearly $300,000 and various pieces of jewelry.