John Washburn, the general manager of San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings in El Cajon, has pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in a pattern or practice of hiring undocumented immigrants. Washburn admitted knowing that at least ten workers were undocumented and revealed that three of them lived in a company warehouse where U.S. Navy submarine components were stored.
The charges followed a search warrant executed by federal agents at the company’s warehouses in March this year. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major sentenced Washburn to one year probation and 50 hours of community service.
Washburn’s plea agreement disclosed communications with other managers about employees with “issues” or “bad paperwork,” indicating some lacked valid work authorization documents. In 2024, he discussed assigning employees with “good paperwork” to military base assignments due to additional screening requirements.
Homeland Security Investigations San Diego is leading the investigation with support from various agencies including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, GSA – Office of Inspector General, United States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection ERO, NCIS, SBA – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Field Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry F.B. Beshar and Michael A. Deshong are prosecuting these cases.
Operation Take Back America spearheads this investigation as part of a nationwide initiative aiming to combat illegal immigration and dismantle transnational criminal organizations while safeguarding communities from violent crime perpetrators.
