A Mission couple is expected to face a federal judge after they allegedly imported illegal immigrant women to work as barmaids in their nightclub.
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Tereso and Nancy Olivo on harboring illegal immigrant charges late last week.
The couple owns the El Centenario Bar off Western Road in Mission.
Court records released in the case on Tuesday show that an investigation into illegal activity at the bar started back in April.
Authorities later learned that Murrillo paid for the women to be smuggled into the United States and then had them work in his bar.
Authorities found at least five women living at an apartment attached to the couple’s La Homa Road home.
The women are now being held as witnesses in the case. They told investigators that they each paid at least $20 dollars a month for electricity at their apartment.
The Olivos and the five women appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Ormsby in McAllen on Friday.
Court records show that both of them were born in Mexico.
Judge Ormbsy denied bond for the Olivos until a Wednesday morning hearing.
The five illegal immigrant women are being held as material witnesses in the case.
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