2 in Acambaro case freed from jail
Posted on Saturday, March 15, 2008
Two men facing charges of harboring illegal aliens are home after spending months in the Benton County jail.
Arturo Reyes Jr., 35, and his brother Armando Reyes, 33, are free after posting bonds set by the federal Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The two already had met the bond set Monday by U. S. Magistrate Judge James Marschewski.
The brothers are two of four operators of the Acambaro Mexican Restaurant chain in Northwest Arkansas and Missouri who face federal charges stemming from a December raid on the business and its subsidiaries.
Arturo Reyes, who declined to comment Friday, appeared relaxed and pleased to be home with his wife, Silvia Reyes, 36, and their children.
Marschewski set bail at $ 50, 000 for Arturo Reyes and $ 35, 000 for Armando Reyes. The immigration bail bond was set at $ 25, 000 for Arturo Reyes and $ 15, 000 for Armando Reyes.
Marc David Seitles, the Miami-based attorney representing the Reyeses, said the brothers were released about 7 p. m. Wednesday.
“They’re extremely happy to be released, and they are looking forward to seeing their children and their wives,” Seitles said. “Arturo’s wife is several months pregnant, so he was very happy he will be able to see the birth of his fifth child.”
The conditions of the brothers’ release include electronic monitoring, Seitles said. They will be allowed to attend religious services and visit their attorneys, but they will have to seek permission from the court for other trips, he said.
The court also requires the Reyeses to stay within the boundaries of the federal court’s Western District of Arkansas.
Because the men are suspected of being in the country illegally, they are prohibited from working at jobs, Seitles said.
Marschewski initially denied bail for the brothers who were jailed in December, but reconsidered Monday. The judge ordered their bonds to be secured through three couples who pledged their houses as bond to assure the Reyes brothers will appear in court for future proceedings.
The brothers also face charges of money laundering.
The same charges also have been brought against the other two operators, Silvia Reyes and Lucila Huaracha, 33, of Lowell. Silvia Reyes has been free on a $ 25, 000 bond since December, and Huaracha was freed in January on a $ 5, 000 bond.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
