ALEXANDRIA, Va.-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested two men today at an apartment complex in Dumfries, Va., who were charged with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens and hire them for work at the Quantico Marine Base. Additionally, 14 illegal aliens were administratively arrested in Virginia, three at the Quantico Marine Base, three in Fredericksburg and eight at the apartment complex in Dumfries.

"Today's enforcement action targeted illegal aliens gaining unlawful access to the Quantico Marine base," said Bill Reid, Special Agent in Charge for the Washington, DC office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "ICE aggressively targets those who seek to circumvent laws and security procedures meant to safeguard the nation's critical infrastructure."

Richard Eversole, 58, a U.S. citizen, and Juan Martinez, 24, a Mexican national, were both charged by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. A third man, Jacob Bocanegra, 36, also a Mexican national, is being sought by law enforcement.

Eversole and Bocanegra hired illegal aliens to work on a construction project on Quantico Marine base, according to court documents. Court documents further allege that Eversole and Bocanegra leased apartments for the illegal workers and provided them transportation onto the Quantico base. The trucks used to transport the illegal workers carried Department of Defense decals.

Martinez was deported from the United States in 2004, following his arrest while trying to enter Quantico to work for Eversole. Martinez allegedly returned to the United States without permission and was again working for Eversole at the time of his arrest today, according to an affidavit filed in this case.

Bocanegra has been encountered by border patrol officials on four occasions and was allowed to return voluntarily to Mexico each time. At this time, investigators do not believe that those arrested had sought or gained access to sensitive areas or information on Quantico Marine Base.

The investigation was conducted by ICE, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Marine Corps Criminal Investigations Division, and the Prince William County Police Department. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

-- ICE --