MCSO: 27 arrested in raid at Sportex Apparel in Tempe

TEMPE, AZ - Nearly 30 people have been arrested after the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant Friday at a Tempe company accused of hiring workers illegally.

Officer Christopher Hegstrom with MCSO said the search warrant was served around 12:30 p.m. at Sportex Apparel LLC, located near 52nd Street and University Drive.

In a seven-month long investigation, deputies learned that as many as 19 employees were using false identification to work at Sportex, said Hegstrom.

After Friday's raid, 23 workers were arrested for ID theft, and are also suspected of being in the country illegally. Four others were taken into custody for outstanding criminal warrants, totaling 27 arrests, Hegstrom said.

MCSO’s Criminal Employment Enforcement Squad was at the scene to make numerous arrests.

“ID theft is obviously a huge problem judging by what’s been in the news just this week," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. "Illegal immigration presents its own set of problems regarding ID theft and must be resolved by Congress.”