Bluffton, September 28, 2025
News Summary
In Bluffton, five men were arrested during an ICE and SLED operation linked to identity fraud involving fraudulent Social Security numbers. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about immigration and employment practices in the area. Each man faces a felony charge that could result in up to 10 years in prison, after reportedly working over 500 hours under false pretenses at a local landscaping company. Law enforcement engaged drones to assist in the investigation, which was prompted by a viewer tip regarding ICE activity.
Bluffton: Five Men Arrested for Identity Fraud During ICE Operation
Five men were arrested on Thursday in Bluffton during an operation conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into identity fraud linked to the use of fraudulent Social Security numbers for employment purposes.
The arrested individuals, all allegedly lacking legal residency in the U.S., were identified as:
- Francisco Ramirez Santiago, 43, of Bluffton
- Pablo Ramirez Santiago, 46, of Bluffton
- Arelio Saul Galicia De Leon, 53, of Hardeeville
- Erick Alfons Clavel Gonzalez, 28, of Hardeeville
- Jose Moreno Romero, 56, of Bluffton
Each of the five men faces a single felony charge of “identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement,” which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. During the operation, they were apprehended at Southern Marsh Nursery located on May River Road, with activities later extending to Hilton Head Island.
Law enforcement drones were spotted overhead as agents conducted their work in an outdoor storage area used by landscapers at the nursery. The charging documents indicated that the men had worked for a Bluffton landscaping company, O’Hara Outdoors, and had fraudulently utilized Social Security numbers for employment.
Of the arrested individuals, three were accused of using Social Security numbers belonging to other residents, while two allegedly collected wages under fabricated Social Security numbers. Each man reportedly worked over 500 hours and earned taxable wages ranging from $10,021.50 to $14,594.14 while using these fraudulent numbers.
A representative from O’Hara Outdoors declined to comment on the charges against their employees when reached for comment. At the request of SLED, five deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office assisted in serving the warrants at the nursery location. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that their deputies were present solely to manage traffic around the area and to assist the agents.
SLED was one of the first agencies in South Carolina to collaborate with ICE under the 287(g) program, which permits state officers to enforce federal immigration law. Although the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office approved a 287(g) agreement in late July, the deputies involved had not yet completed the necessary training to enforce immigration laws.
As of Friday at 5 p.m., all five men remained in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center and were placed under an ICE hold. An ICE spokesperson confirmed that the men will be transferred into federal custody after their criminal charges are adjudicated. SLED released a press release confirming the arrests but did not mention ICE in the official warrants, despite earlier reports linking them to the operation.
The operation and subsequent arrests stemmed from a viewer tip regarding ICE activity, which prompted an inquiry from local media.
FAQ
What charges were the five men arrested for in Bluffton?
Each man faces a single felony charge of “identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement,” which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Where were the arrests made?
The arrests were made during a joint operation at Southern Marsh Nursery on May River Road, which later continued onto Hilton Head Island.
How were the men allegedly committing identity fraud?
The men were using fraudulent Social Security numbers to obtain employment, with some using numbers belonging to other residents, while others collected wages under fabricated numbers.
How many hours did the men report working?
Each man reportedly worked over 500 hours while using fraudulent Social Security numbers.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Arresting Agencies | ICE, SLED |
| Location of Arrests | Southern Marsh Nursery, Bluffton |
| Charges | Identity fraud to obtain employment |
| Punishment | Up to 10 years in prison |
| Number of Individuals Arrested | Five |
| Employment | O’Hara Outdoors |
| Hours Worked | Over 500 hours |
| Wages Earned | $10,021.50 to $14,594.14 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Five Foreign Nationals Arrested for Identity Fraud in Bluffton
Five Arrested for Identity Fraud in Bluffton Operation
Five Arrested for Identity Fraud in Beaufort County
Five Arrested for Identity Fraud in Bluffton, SC
Joint Immigration Operation Leads to Multiple Arrests in Bluffton
Five Arrested in Bluffton for Identity Fraud
Five Arrested for Identity Fraud in Bluffton, SC
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Five Men Charged with Identity Fraud
- WTOC: Five Foreign Nationals Charged with Identity Fraud
- WSAV: Multiple in Custody After ICE Operation in Bluffton
- Bluffton Today: No Kings Protest Leads to Arrests
- Post and Courier: SLED Immigration Arrests in Beaufort County
- Wikipedia: Identity Fraud
- Google Search: Immigration Law Enforcement
- Google Scholar: Identity Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Law
- Google News: ICE Operation Bluffton
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
