Moises Orduna-Rios, 36, and Raquel Orduna-Rios, 30, both from Plymouth, Michigan, have been arrested and charged with several offenses related to harboring unauthorized aliens and money laundering. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
The criminal complaint alleges that the couple operated Orduna Plumbing Inc., a Michigan-based plumbing company with activities in New York, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio. Moises Orduna-Rios is identified as the president of the company while Raquel Orduna-Rios serves as treasurer and secretary.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, between January 2022 and December 2024, the company employed about 253 individuals; only six were confirmed to be legally authorized to work in the United States. The complaint states that unauthorized workers’ passports were collected by the defendants and that these workers were housed in overcrowded accommodations.
Investigators estimate that from January 1, 2022 to August 7, 2025, the company generated approximately $74 million in customer revenue. During this period, U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 23 unauthorized aliens working for Orduna Plumbing in Buffalo, Rochester, and Charlotte.
Messages uncovered during the investigation showed Moises Orduna-Rios communicating with unauthorized employees about payroll issues and cautioning them about law enforcement presence. On February 1, 2025 he wrote: “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 Rochester residence associated with Orduna Plumbing employees; nine individuals illegally present in the country were found living there.
A financial review revealed payments made through multiple bank accounts controlled by Moises and Raquel Orduna-Rios to hundreds of employees who were known to be illegally present in the United States.
Both defendants appeared in federal court in Michigan and were released under conditions. They are scheduled for another appearance on December 2, 2025 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen in New York.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America—an initiative led by the Department of Justice focused on addressing illegal immigration and related crimes.
The investigation involved U.S. Border Patrol (Rochester Station), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, Customs and Border Protection (Field Operations), as well as Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations.
Authorities emphasized: “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.”
