The owner and operator of two Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse locations in Michigan was indicted on federal charges alleging a scheme to harbor and employ people living in the United States unlawfully, along with related immigration document fraud and conspiracy counts.
The indictment names the owner of two Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse restaurants in Michigan on charges that include conspiracy, harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain, and fraud and misuse of immigration documents. Federal authorities say the case centers on an alleged scheme that benefited the business while putting legal workers at a disadvantage. Prosecutors framed the matter as both a criminal offense and a threat to community integrity.
United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon and officials from the FBI Detroit Field Division and the U.S. Border Patrol announced the case publicly. Arrested was Yong Ni, 52, of Troy, Michigan, who made an initial appearance in federal court after being taken into custody. The indictment marks the beginning of formal criminal proceedings, not a finding of guilt.
“We will investigate and prosecute employers who harbor illegal aliens. These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking. And they do it at the expense of the American worker,” said Gorgon.
Agents with the Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector executed three search warrants at residences in Shelby Township and Royal Oak tied to Ni or the Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse corporation. Investigators reported encountering 28 people living at those homes, and identified 17 individuals as aliens illegally present in the United States without authorization to work.
“Exploiting our immigration system for personal gain is a serious offense, and those who orchestrate or participate in such schemes will have to answer for their actions,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The defendant’s alleged actions of illegally harboring individuals at various residences across our state, transporting them, and employing them at his restaurants, including those unlawfully present in the United States, while misusing visa programs for financial gain, are serious. This operation was a success thanks to the dedicated members of our Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, alongside our partners at the U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.”
According to the investigation, the people identified as unlawfully present were hired to work at the restaurants in Shelby Township and Royal Oak. Officials allege those employees lived at Ni’s homes and were transported between the residences and the restaurants for work shifts. The complaint further alleges Ni directed individuals without valid documents to other employees to obtain fraudulent permanent resident cards and social security cards.
Ni is also charged with possession of a lawful permanent resident card obtained by fraud or false statements, federal prosecutors say. Documents in the case allege Ni secured a visa and permanent residency by failing to disclose a prior exclusion order from 1995, when he reportedly attempted entry using a fraudulent United States passport.
“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting the integrity of our communities. We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure those who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain are held accountable,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.
If convicted, Ni faces statutory penalties that include up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. The investigation was led by the Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Garcia and Assistant United States Attorney Sean King. Those are the officials listed as handling the federal prosecution.
An indictment is a formal charge and not proof of guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The government bears the burden of proof in court, and the legal process will determine whether the allegations are sustained.
