An Auburn restaurateur accused of fraudulently obtaining federal pandemic relief funds and misusing them has surrendered to authorities following a multi-agency search at several of his businesses.
Federal prosecutors say 52-year-old Cesar Campos-Reyes is facing charges related to misusing federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Alabama’s Middle District, Campos-Reyes is accused of submitting false information to secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for his restaurants, then spending the money on unauthorized purposes. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant Tuesday at multiple El Patron Mexican restaurant locations owned by Campos-Reyes in Autauga, Elmore, Crenshaw, Lee, and Baldwin counties. Although he was not found during the searches, officials confirmed he surrendered later that night.
As part of the operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 48 individuals at the restaurants who are accused of working without proper documentation.
Three additional arrests were made during the coordinated effort. Two individuals were charged with harboring undocumented immigrants, and another person was charged with a controlled substance violation, officials said.
The investigation and enforcement involved a wide array of agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and the Gulf of Mexico Homeland Security Task Force. This joint unit includes the FBI and HSI. ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Marshals Service also assisted, along with the Alabama Department of Corrections, Auburn Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Prattville Police Department, Wetumpka Police Department, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, and Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Douglas Howard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, confirmed the details of the operation and charges on Tuesday.
The case remains under investigation.
