(WNY News Now) – A 35-year-old Amherst man who owns Sushi Queen in Tonawanda has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport people who were unlawfully present in the United States for financial gain, according to federal prosecutors. He faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Ping Ye entered the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. in federal court, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.

The investigation began on February 5, 2025, when North Tonawanda police stopped a minivan registered to Ye. The vehicle was being driven by Wenjie Xu and carried five passengers.

During the stop, Xu called Ye, who spoke with officers. Ye reportedly told law enforcement that the passengers were friends visiting from New York City and were not his employees.

Investigators later determined that the five passengers, all Guatemalan nationals, had been living in Western New York for periods ranging from several months to more than a year. Prosecutors said they had been working at Sushi Queen during that time.

Ye also told officers that the passengers were staying at his residence on Ganson Street.

Border Patrol agents responded to the traffic stop and took Xu and the five passengers into custody. Authorities determined that Xu, a Chinese national, and the five Guatemalan nationals were unlawfully present in the United States.

On February 7, 2025, Border Patrol agents conducted surveillance at the Ganson Street residence and arrested two additional Guatemalan nationals who authorities said were also unlawfully present in the country.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Sushi Queen on March 25, 2025, seizing employee personnel records.

According to prosecutors, investigators found no personnel records for the seven Guatemalan nationals identified during the investigation.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol.

Ye pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport aliens within the United States for financial gain. The federal charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose is prosecuting the case.