Federal prosecutors say they dismantled a transnational human smuggling and labor trafficking network that moved migrants into harsh conditions on South Georgia farms, recovered millions through money laundering investigations, and secured prison sentences for several participants after a multi-year probe involving numerous federal and state agencies.
Federal authorities concluded a lengthy investigation into what prosecutors describe as an organized criminal operation that trafficked workers from Mexico and Central America into the United States using fraudulent agricultural labor arrangements. Investigators say those workers were forced to pay unlawful fees, had documents withheld, and were housed and worked in degrading, unsafe conditions.
The conspirators are accused of generating more than $200 million from the scheme and laundering proceeds through purchases of real estate, vehicles, businesses, cashier’s checks, and millions funneled through a casino. Sentencing in the case was announced by Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Margaret E. ‘Meg’ Heap and handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa G. Wood.
- Margarita Rojas Cardenas, a/k/a “Maggie Cardenas,” 48, of Reidsville, Georgia, was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $20,838.94 after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
- Nery Rene Carrillo-Najarro, 61, of Douglas, Georgia, was sentenced to 40 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. The court scheduled a restitution hearing on August 4, 2026, to assess victims’ losses and to determine the amount of restitution owed by the defendant.
- Brett Donavan Bussey, 44, of Douglas, was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,224.73 after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
There is no parole in the federal system, and those sentences reflect federal guidelines and the court’s assessment of the conduct and losses tied to each defendant. The recent sentences resolve the prosecutions of the final three defendants from an original indictment that named two dozen people connected to the operation. Earlier convictions and penalties in the case already led to prison terms for several other defendants and ordered restitution totaling more than $1.3 million.
Court records show the investigation into the Patricio transnational criminal organization began in November 2018 and that related criminal activity dates to at least 2015. Prosecutors describe mail fraud, forced labor trafficking, and money laundering tied to misuse of the H-2A agricultural worker visa program to bring foreign nationals into the United States under false pretenses.
The scheme allegedly required workers to pay unlawful fees for transportation, food, and housing while their travel and identification documents were withheld. Victims were then made to perform physically demanding labor for little or no pay while living in crowded and unsanitary conditions and facing threats of deportation and violence, according to charging papers.
Law enforcement treated the matter as a Priority Transnational Organized Crime investigation and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces matter before HSTF designation. Operation Blooming Onion was the operational name attached to the case, reflecting its priority status for dismantling a network that spanned parts of the United States and multiple countries in Central America.
“This case is an outstanding example of the extensive collaboration with our partner government agencies which led to these convictions,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “The work carried out by these professionals has had a direct impact in protecting vulnerable people and preserving the American dream for those who pursue it.”
“Federal labor programs are not a playground for criminals. Let these sentencings send a clear message: if you exploit workers, commit fraud, launder money, or abuse programs designed to help people, my office will find you and hold you accountable,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “This scheme preyed on vulnerable individuals and corrupted a lawful worker program for illegal profit. Alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue rooting out fraud, protecting American workers, and ensuring bad actors face the full weight of justice.”
Investigating agencies included Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Labor offices for Wage and Hour and the Office of Inspector General; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security; the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the FBI; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Marshals Service. State and local partners across Georgia and the Georgia National Guard also assisted, and the case was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan E. Bondura and L. Alexander Hamner.
If you believe you have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking; all reports are confidential, and callers may remain anonymous with interpreter services available.
