A Monroe, Washington man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle to harboring an alien for financial gain. Rangel Ramirez-Manzano, 57, admitted to the felony charge after years of legal delays related to his mental competency. U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik set sentencing for March 5, 2026.
According to court documents, Ramirez-Manzano had known the victim from his hometown in Mexico and pursued a long-distance relationship with her, encouraging her to come to the United States as his girlfriend. He paid $17,000 for her to be smuggled into southern California and picked her up from the smugglers.
Once in Washington, Ramirez-Manzano forced the victim into hard labor for his landscaping business without pay and threatened both her and her children who remained in Mexico. The case records indicate he isolated her from others, restricted her food intake, and did not compensate her for months of strenuous work at various job sites. In the plea agreement, Ramirez-Manzano acknowledged that the victim performed at least $16,000 worth of unpaid work.
He harbored the woman in his home from February 2022 until April 24, 2022. She eventually escaped and sought help from a neighbor who called 911. Monroe Police responded and provided medical attention for multiple injuries she sustained. The FBI joined Monroe Police in investigating the case.
Ramirez-Manzano was arrested in September 2022 following a criminal complaint and has been held in federal custody since then while undergoing mental evaluations and treatment.
As part of the plea agreement, Ramirez-Manzano agreed to pay $16,000 in restitution to the victim. Authorities seized this amount in cash from his work truck; it will be forfeited by the government for restitution purposes.
The charge of harboring an alien for financial gain carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a five-year sentence, but Judge Lasnik may impose any lawful sentence.
Ramirez-Manzano is a legal permanent resident; however, due to this conviction his status may be revoked and he could face deportation after serving his prison term.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Kate Crisham and Rachel Yemini are prosecuting the case. According to officials: “Ms. Crisham is the Western District of Washington coordinator of our efforts to stop human trafficking.”
