FARGO (AP) - One of two people accused of recruiting workers living in the country illegally to help at a vegetable processing plant in North Dakota has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Prosecutors say 57-year-old Richard Shearer was employed as a consultant for KIDCO Farms in Dawson when he helped the company find about two-dozen workers. The employees were allegedly recruited in Arizona and then taken to North Dakota.
Shearer has signed a plea agreement that calls for him to pay back $20,000 in illegal proceeds. The deal calls for the government to recommend a sentence at the low end of guidelines.
Plant executive Monte Benz has also been charged in the case. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 9.