KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sentencing for the owner of a Grainger County slaughterhouse raided last year by federal authorities for illegally paying undocumented workers is being put off at least 90 days because of "activities underway" in a related case, documents show.
James Brantley was to face sentencing before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer on Monday, Feb. 4 in U.S. District Court in Greeneville.
But federal prosecutors signaled this month the hearing needed to be postponed.
In a motion filed Jan. 14, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Harker told Greer there are unspecified events occurring that merit a delay.
Those "activities" could affect Brantley's punishment, documents indicate.
"It is in the best interests of the defendant and in the best interests of justice that the date of the sentencing hearing be continued, so that other matters may be resolved prior to the sentencing of the defendant," Harker's motion states.
In addition, the government asked to delay the submission of sentencing memos regarding Brantley -- a move his attorney agrees with, documents show.
Greer agreed Jan. 15 to put off sentencing to May 8. Sentencing documents that would go into greater detail about Brantley's crimes and what time he should face are now due in April.
Brantley owns Southeastern Provision in Bean Station.
He signed a plea agreement last summer with federal prosecutors.
Authorities say he employed illegal immigrants for decades, paying them in cash to avoid federal employment taxes.
In April, acting on a tip, federal authorities raided the Brantley plant. They took dozens of illegal workers into custody.
During the raid, which drew national attention, federal agents found at least 104 "unauthorized aliens", according to the government. Brantley knew the status of at least 60 of those workers.
The "net effect" of Brantley's deceit amounted to $1.296 million in unpaid FICA taxes, documents state.
When filing IRS tax forms for the fourth quarter of 2017, Brantley only claimed to have 44 wage-earning employees.
Beginning in 2013, the government alleged, Brantley authorized two managers to start hiring illegal immigrants to work at his plant, documents state.
Under the law, Brantley faces a maximum term of five years each on the first two counts, 20 years on the third and 6 months on the fourth.
He's been allowed to remain free on bond pending sentencing.