(Local Pastor enters a guilty plea)....Victor Gonzalez headed the Imperial Valley Ministries.

He was originally indicted in 2019. His wife also entered a guilty plea this week. Federal prosecuter entered the pleas in San Diego Federal Court this week. The prosecutors say they forced drug addicts and homeless people to surrender their welfare benefits and panhandle. Gonzalez and his wife, Susan Christine, plead guilty to conspiracy to commit benefits fraud. Gonzalez and three co-defendants also plead guilty yo taking part in a labor trafficking scheme to recruit homeless people in San Diego and other cities, then force them to participate in raising money on behalf of the El Centro Based Church. The US Attorney's Office said Imperial Valley Ministries operated around 30 affiliate churches in the United States and Mexico. No sentencing information has been released.