KANSAS CITY ROOFING CONTRACTOR JAILED FOR HIRING UNDOCUMENTED ROOFERS THROUGH A JEFE
Contractor sentenced in case involving illegal immigrant labor
A contractor who averted his eyes while a business associate brought illegal immigrants to work in the local roofing business was sentenced to federal prison Friday.
Tony Evans of Stilwell in Johnson County must serve a year and one day, said U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey.
Until February 2006, Evans was president of Mid-Continent Specialists, which had offices in Missouri, Florida and Mississippi. He then opened Metro Roofing Services in February 2006.
According to prosecutors, he conspired with Luis Hernandez-Bautista to hire illegal immigrants to work for several area roofing companies.
While prosecutors urged Laughrey to impose a sentence of 18 months, Evans’ lawyers argued that Bautista was more culpable in the conspiracy because he actually employed the illegal workers through his companies, which subcontracted to Evans’ firms.
“Mr. Bautista was at the center of this conspiracy,” said lawyer Matthew Thomas Geiger.
Bautista, who could have been sentenced to up to 27 months, received a year-and-a-day sentence because he cooperated with authorities.
Laughrey appeared sympathetic to the culpability argument but also said real prison time was appropriate for Evans.
“I think it’s important for employers to understand that if they knowingly employ … illegal aliens, they will go to jail,” Laughrey said.
To reach Mark Morris, call 816-234-4310 or send e-mail to mmorris@kcstar.com.
