Ellisville Man Sentenced for Racketeering Conviction

A man from Ellisville this week received 5 years in prison for his role trafficking illegal workers across cities in 14 states, including Branson and Kansas City, MO.

Kristin Dougherty, 51, was sentenced in federal court Wednesday after being convicted in the fall of facilitating the transfer of illegal immigrants to various employers throughout the U.S.

The criminal network was required to produce phony work visas, which were integral to maintaining what prosecutors characterized as an "extensive and profitable criminal enterprise." The documents then were used to employ the workers at businesses like national hotel chains and restaurants.

Prosecutors said workers frequently were brought on board under false pretenses, and often subjected to substandard housing at inflated rates arranged by work contractors.

Prior to his conviction, the Justice Department argued that as vice president of sales and marketing for Giant Labor Solutions, LLC, Dougherty knowingly supplied employers with illegal aliens and assisted with the registration process. Dougherty also used three other businesses—Anchor Building Services; People, Inc.; and Hotel and Resort Services—to actually employ the illegal workers, and to expand his network of laborers.