Context:

A jury in South Texas found Leonardo Baez and Nora Avila-Guel guilty of concealing and harboring employees who were illegally in the U.S., following a three-day trial. The couple, who own a bakery in Los Fresnos, were arrested along with eight employees, six of whom had visitor visas and two who were undocumented. The employees lived in cramped conditions within the bakery premises, although none were forced to work and were paid for their labor. Despite the charges, Baez and Avila-Guel reopened their bakery and received community support. They remain out on bond until their sentencing in November.

Dive Deeper:

• Leonardo Baez and Nora Avila-Guel, both legal permanent residents of the U.S., were found guilty of illegally concealing and harboring employees at their bakery in South Texas.

• The trial lasted three days and concluded with a guilty verdict, marking a rare instance where business owners face criminal charges instead of merely fines for such offenses.

• Among the eight employees arrested, six were on visitor visas, while two were undocumented, and none had authorization to work in the United States.

• The employees lived in a small room with six beds and shared two bathrooms within the bakery's building, as noted in a federal affidavit.

• During the trial, no defense witnesses were presented, but videos of interviews with two undocumented employees revealed they were not coerced and were paid for their work.

• After their arrest, Baez and Avila-Guel reopened their bakery in April, receiving significant support from the community despite the legal proceedings.

• The couple is allowed to continue working at their bakery while they await their sentencing, which is scheduled for November.