Harboring charge against owner of Hidalgo used clothing business dismissed

A federal magistrate judge in McAllen on Monday dismissed a harboring charge against the owner of a used clothing store in Hidalgo after finding there was no probable cause for the charge.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano, however, did find probable cause for a charge of employing individuals illegally present in the country levied against Rolando Martinez, who owns America’s Best Clothing, LLC, court records show.

Martinez was arrested following March 19 raids by Homeland Security Investigations special agents executing a search and seizure warrant on a business located at 591 East Produce Road in Hidalgo.

That action was against Leo’s Clothing, whose owners were charged with money laundering. Martinez’s business is at the same address.

While there, investigators also searched America’s Best Clothing where they found people employed at the business who weren’t legally present in the country, according to a criminal complaint.

In interviews with authorities, the employees said that Martinez and one of his family members paid them cash wages on a weekly basis. One employee, who had been working there for about three months, said they only presented their Mexican voter’s identification card to Martinez.

The employees also said Martinez’s dad provided them with a travel trailer to stay at in Alton while working for Martinez.

Martinez also allowed them “and other employees to reside at his business inside a residential suite contained therein,” the complaint said.

The business owner is currently free on a $10,000 unsecured bond, court records show.

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