Michigan Couple Accused in Multistate Unauthorized Worker Scheme
Federal Charges Filed Against Plymouth, Michigan Couple
Moises Orduna-Rios and Raquel Orduna-Rios of Plymouth, Michigan were arrested after federal officials accused them of operating a multimillion-dollar plumbing business that employed more than 100 workers illegally living in the United States. The couple faces charges including conspiracy, transporting and harboring unauthorized aliens, employing unauthorized workers, and money laundering. They appeared in federal court in Detroit on November 18 and were released on bond.
Authorities stated that the couple runs Orduna Plumbing Inc., which operates in Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio. Moises serves as the company president and Raquel as treasurer and secretary. Investigators found that the company employed 253 workers, and only six were legally authorized to work in the country.
Investigators Detail Worker Conditions and Arrests
According to the complaint, workers’ passports were collected, and many were housed in overcrowded residences or hotel rooms. From January 2022 to August 2025, the company generated roughly $74 million in revenue. Border Patrol agents arrested 23 Orduna Plumbing employees illegally present in the U.S. across Buffalo, Rochester, and Charlotte during the investigation.
A December 16, 2024 traffic stop in Rochester resulted in the arrest of three workers in a company van. Days later, a towing company employee reported that the company secretary attempted to have someone else retrieve the vehicle. An undercover agent later met with a worker on December 27, who showed $10,000 in cash and described paying workers and providing housing.
Message Records and Search Warrants Reveal Company Practices
Authorities reviewed WhatsApp records between Moises and workers dating back to October 2022. Messages referenced worker arrests, relocations between Buffalo and Rochester, housing conditions and internal company rules. On February 5, 2025, agents executed a search warrant at a Rochester residence and found nine workers living in a four-bedroom home. Workers told officials they earned between $800 and $1,500 weekly.
Investigators also found messages in which Raquel requested workers’ passports to obtain Tax IDs. Immigration records showed 112 workers were illegally in the U.S., 28 lacked employment authorization, and 107 had no immigration records. Bank records from 2018 to 2025 showed more than $74 million in deposits tied to customer payments.
Moises and Raquel are scheduled to next appear in federal court in the Western District of New York on December 2, 2025.