Men accused of recruiting illegal workers (King 5 News-WA)

Men accused of recruiting illegal workers

05:36 PM PDT on Thursday, September 3, 2009

By ROB PIERCY / KING 5 News

EDMONDS, Wash. - Two Mexican nationals accused of bringing illegal workers to Snohomish County were targeted in an immigration raid Thursday.

Federal prosecutors say the men recruited the workers from Mexico. Early this morning, federal agents busted through the front door of a home in Edmonds.

"I woke up, it was 5 in the morning, I was sleeping and I just heard people smashing the door," said America Perez.

Agents were there for America Perez's father, Gabriel Perez-Zambrano. They also arrested three men living in the basement.

Perez-Zambrano and Rogilio Lopez-Tiznado, whose home was also raided, are accused of helping several Mexican nationals travel to Snohomish County.

It's alleged they helped get them get fake documents and jobs as drywall hangers.

Perez-Zambrano's daughter admits he came to this country illegally, but to help his family, she says, not to help others.

"Some people are just looking for a better education for their kids, and wanna have it better, because in Mexico there is schools, but not as good as here," said Perez.

The common thread linking all the men is the company investigators say hired them. Ketchikan Drywall Services is one of the largest drywall contractors in the state.

A criminal justice source familiar with the case tells KING 5 that investigators are taking a close look at what the company knew about the workers and the documents they had.

Company president Bill Cowin declined to comment.