In 2025 the Colt Grill in Foley was raided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) who served a search warrant related to a criminal investigation. HSI reported that the raid was related to illicit money laundering, labor exploitation and human smuggling.
Two former employees tied to Colt Grill are now awaiting sentencing after admitting to their roles in an undocumented labor scheme spanning several Arizona restaurants and one in Alabama.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Luis Pedro Rogel-Jaimes, 34, and Iris Cristal Romero-Molina, 30, admitted to employing undocumented workers at locations in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, Cottonwood and Foley, Alabama.
Both Mexican nationals, who prosecutors say were in the country illegally and living in Cottonwood, are in federal custody and are scheduled to be sentenced in June.
Authorities said they are expected to be deported after serving their prison sentences.
According to Brian Petersheim Jr. of the Arizona Family News, the guilty pleas are the latest development in a years-long labor exploitation investigation.
In May 2025, a federal grand jury indicted four people: Robert and Brenda Clouston, both 61, of northern Arizona, along with Rogel-Jaimes and Romero-Molina. The indictment alleged the Cloustons operated Colt Grill restaurants in Cottonwood, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona and Foley.
Prosecutors said the group created a plan in 2022 for Romero-Molina to form R&R AZ Cleaning, which allegedly functioned as a staffing company for the restaurants.
In July 2025, Homeland Security Investigations, YCSO and other agencies executed search warrants at multiple Colt Grill locations and several homes in Arizona and Alabama. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rogel-Jaimes and Romero-Molina recruited undocumented workers for the restaurants, who were paid through R&R AZ Cleaning using funds from Colt Grill.
Prosecutors alleged the workers were paid below minimum wage, were not compensated for overtime and that proper employment taxes were not paid.
All four people were arrested on July 15, 2025, according to federal officials. The cases involving Robert and Brenda Clouston are ongoing in federal court.
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