PHOENIX – A 42-year-old man has pleaded guilty to two charges, including one of knowingly employing unauthorized aliens, authorities said Thursday.

Blademir Angulo Audeves of Mexico also pleaded guilty on Aug. 20 to one count of alien in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Arizona district.

Audeves admitted in his plea that he owned and operated El Taqueria El Taco Loko LLC, which included a brick-and-mortar restaurant and two mobile restaurants in the Phoenix-metro area.

“Audeves knowingly hired and employed at least 12 unauthorized aliens, who were either not lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States or were not authorized to be employed in the United States,” the release stated.

He also admitted to knowingly possessing three firearms in July 2025, along with ammunition, all of which was prohibited because of his immigration status, authorities said.

A conviction for the firearms charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and maximum $250,000 fine. The employment charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a maximum fine of $3,000 “for each unauthorized alien with respect to whom such a violation occurs,” the release stated.

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