COLUMBIA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said a multi-agency operation in Abbeville County led to the detention of 48 people in the U.S. illegally and the State Grand Jury indictment of six defendants.Wilson said the investigation, dubbed “Operation Ghost Story,” began in fall 2024. He said authorities executed the operation Wednesday at Burnstein Von Seelen Precision Casting in Abbeville. Two managers were arrested on State Grand Jury charges, and ICE detained 48 workers for alleged immigration violations.AutoplayDefendantsThe following indictments were made public in the Ghost Story investigation:NameCountyChargesChristopher Douglas RameyAbbeville CountyCriminal conspiracy Identity fraud to obtain employment Forgery, more than $10,000Burnstein Von Seelen plant manager Arrested on June 3, 2026Sandy Lynn WillisAbbeville CountyCriminal conspiracy Identity fraud to obtain employment Forgery, more than $10,000Burnstein Von Seelen Human Resource Coordinator Arrested on June 3, 2026Jose Luis Aguilar MejiaGreenwood County(2 counts) Forgery, more than $10,000 (3 counts) Identity fraudAt large and currently wanted by authoritiesLazaro Hernandez Hernandez, also known as “Diego Hernandez”Greenville CountyForgery, more than $10,000 Identity fraudBond was denied on April 22, 2025Xavier Martinez AdornoHorry County(4 counts) Forgery, more than $10,000 (3 counts) Identity fraudZenon Rojas-CabreraNewberry County(2 counts) Identity fraud to obtain employment (4 counts) Forgery, more than $10,000$50,000 surety bond was set on September 17, 2025Bond hearings for the two Abbeville County defendants, Ramey and Willis, are scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Wilson said. Officials said the investigation is ongoing, and certain aspects of the investigation remain sealed.Full video: AG announces arrests in illegal immigration operationReactionsBy the numbers According to data released by ICE, more than 800 arrests were made in South Carolina in January and February this year. FOX Carolina Investigates went through the data for this year and found that most of the arrests have happened in Charleston County. But in the Upstate, Greenville County has seen the most ICE arrests. Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, download our apps.Copyright 2026 WHNS. All rights reserved.