Vinton dairy farmer pleads guilty to employing illegals

A Vinton farmer has pleaded guilty to a charge of illegally employing three illegal aliens at his dairy farm.

Kenneth Birker, 62, of Benton County, was convincted of one count of engaging in a pattern or practice of knowingly employing illegal alients, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa. He also entered a guilty plea to one count of harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage or financial gain on behalf of his business, Birker Inc.

In a plea agreement, Birker admitted he knowingly employed three illegal aliens at his farm. He hired a husband and wife in November 2001 as president of Birker Inc. A third illegal alien who was in the same family as the couple was hired by Birker in May 2004.

During their employment, Birker learned the husband and wife had illegally entered the United States from Mexico and lacked proper documents. He also learned the three employees didn't have drivers licenses and that they had been rejected by Birker Inc.'s health insurance provider because their identities could not be confirmed.

The charges carry a possible maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or five years probation, a $3,000 fine for each individual employed, and a $10 special assessment. He could face a maximum sentence of probation for one to five years, a fine of up to $500,00 or twice the gross gain resulting from the offense and a special assessment of $400.

Birker is free on bond pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Vinton Police Department and the Benton County Sheriff's Office.