Miami Courant

Martinez Builders Supply, LLC, operating as East Coast Truss (ECT), has entered a guilty plea in federal court for conspiring to harbor aliens through employment. The Florida-based company admitted to its involvement alongside former employee Kelly Yanira Del Valle. Del Valle also pled guilty to additional charges of filing false tax returns and aiding in the filing of false tax returns.

As part of their pleas, ECT agreed to a forfeiture judgment amounting to $450,000. Del Valle consented to a $100,000 forfeiture judgment and will pay restitution of $100,146 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Court documents reveal that from June 1, 2018, through August 6, 2021, ECT's officers and employees conspired with Del Valle to employ unauthorized workers. In June 2018, an arrangement was made at ECT involving its president and managing member along with an officer manager. They agreed with Del Valle to transfer certain unauthorized workers from ECT’s payroll to Hollys Services—a company established by Del Valle—to avoid detection following an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 audit by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This audit had identified numerous unauthorized employees at ECT.

Under this scheme, over $1.15 million was transferred by ECT agents into a bank account under Hollys Services set up by Del Valle. Additionally, $2.2 million was transferred into another account under Quality Control—a subsequent entity formed for similar purposes.

On August 6, 2021, law enforcement conducted a search at ECT’s headquarters in Saint Lucie County and found that out of the 58 employees present during the search, 28 were unauthorized workers.

Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon on a date yet to be set in Fort Pierce. Del Valle could face up to 16 years in federal prison while ECT might receive up to five years probation or fines potentially reaching $500,000 or twice the gross loss or gain from their offenses.

The announcement was made by U.S Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida along with Special Agent Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami and Special Agent Matthew D Line from IRS Criminal Investigation Miami Field Office.

The case investigation was conducted jointly by HSI Fort Pierce and IRS CI Miami Field Office while prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S Attorney Michael D Porter with asset forfeiture handled by Assistant U.S Attorney Sara Klco.

Further details regarding related court documents can be accessed via official district court websites using specific case numbers provided above.