Fresh Mark, Inc., a meat processing company based in Ohio, has reached a Non-prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. This agreement is related to the involvement of a hiring manager in an identity theft scheme and obstruction of justice. Fresh Mark was established in 1920 and produces processed meats under brands such as Sugardale and Superior Brand Meats.
Between 2013 and 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested several employees at Fresh Mark who had used stolen identities to secure employment. Court documents revealed that Yelwin Omar Munoz-Solis, a hiring manager at Fresh Mark’s Salem facility, conspired with others to provide stolen identities to job applicants. Munoz-Solis certified I-9 documents required for verifying identity and employment eligibility in the U.S. He was charged and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements on immigration forms submitted to HSI.
On June 19, 2018, HSI executed search warrants at Fresh Mark’s facilities in Salem, Massillon, and Canton. During this operation, investigators detained 146 individuals working without legal status in the United States; about 30 were later charged with various immigration violations.
U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio stated: “Stealing identities to transfer to others not eligible to work is not an acceptable business practice.” She emphasized that employers must comply with federal laws regarding hiring practices.
Angie M. Salazar, HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge said: “This settlement is a testament to HSI’s commitment to the American people and our Ohio communities.”
As part of the agreement terms, Fresh Mark paid a $3,719,997 penalty and will adhere to compliance reporting requirements for two years. The funds will be directed towards the federal Crime Victims Fund under the Victims of Crime Act Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Toepfer.
