Blademir Angulo Audeves, a 42-year-old Mexican national, was arrested on July 8 and charged with several offenses including harboring illegal aliens and employing them at his taco restaurants in Phoenix. The charges also include improper entry by an alien and possession of a firearm by an alien. Angulo is set to appear in federal court today.
The case against Angulo began in March 2025 when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) looked into claims that he employed illegal aliens without work authorization. HSI identified at least 12 individuals working for him, some residing at his home in Laveen, Arizona, or another residence on 16th Avenue.
Federal search warrants were executed on July 8 at Angulo’s home and restaurant locations, as well as the secondary residence. Several Mexican citizens without legal permission to be in the U.S. were found during these searches. Agents also discovered firearms and ammunition at Angulo’s residence.
Immigration records show that Angulo was previously encountered by authorities in 2011 while illegally present in the U.S., leaving via voluntary departure through Nogales, Arizona, in May 2021. At the time of his arrest on July 8, he lacked legal permission to be in the country.
During the operation, two other individuals—Christian Sagaste-Garcia and Jose Luis Ambriz-Cortes—were arrested and charged with re-entry of a removed alien after having been previously deported from the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with prosecution handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
“A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct,” officials noted. “All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
