April 10, 2025

By Jonathan Ellis, The Dakota Scout

Three people connected to Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet face potential deportation after their arrest Tuesday on charges of harboring illegal workers.

Hui Weng, Min Lin and Jin Ju Pan were denied release by Federal Magistrate Judge Veronica Duffy at their first appearance Wednesday. The government asked for their detention until trial because they pose a flight risk.

The government argued that the three have no family or significant ties to the community and that their legal status was unknown. In addition to deportation, they also are subject to diplomatic notification to their home countries if they are not citizens.

The federal court appointed lawyers for Lin and Pan. Weng, who is listed in the indictment as an owner of the business, retained defense attorney Clint Sargent of Meierhenry Sargent. Lin is identified as a manager, and Pan is listed as someone who would pay employees and owned rental properties where they lived. A fourth defendant is listed but not publicly identified in the indictment.

Sargent told The Dakota Scout on Thursday that the defendants would make another appearance Monday to determine whether they should remain in custody pending their trials. At the time of their first appearance, finding interpreters who understood Mandarin Chinese was a problem.

The parties agreed Wednesday to allow the probation office to set up the interpreters and do the background checks necessary for another detention hearing.

“Once we get that done, each side can present their side of why or why they shouldn’t be detained,” Sargent said.

The defendants are accused of harboring illegal immigrants to work in the restaurant at 1100 W. 41 St. The indictment alleges that the defendants housed illegal immigrants in residences the defendants owned or rented, transported them to their work and deducted rent and transportation expenses from their paychecks. They also had food deducted from their paychecks regardless of whether they ate in the restaurant.

They also were threatened with being turned over to immigration authorities, according to the indictment.

“Between approximately 2014 and August 2023, some of the conspirators advised employees that immigration authorities would be called if the employees did not work hard or do what they were told,” the indictment alleges.

A number of items were seized by the government for possible forfeiture, including jewelry and almost $300,000 in cash.

The case comes as the Trump administration continues to prioritize the enforcement of immigration laws, including against businesses that harbor or exploit undocumented workers. Former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, now serving as secretary of Homeland Security, has voiced her commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration. Under her leadership, the Department of Homeland Security has undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at deporting illegal immigrants and holding businesses accountable for violating immigration policies.

The story is brought to you in partnership with The Dakota Scout, a local news source focused on government and politics. To learn more, click here.

3 connected to buffet restaurant indicted on charges of harboring illegal workers