EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A businessman who repeatedly failed to pay an employee’s wages has pleaded guilty to four counts of felony wage theft after issuing checks that were returned for insufficient funds, according to the El Paso County Attorney’s Office.

Antonio Resendiz, 43, was ordered to serve three years of probation and to pay the victim $2,195 following his guilty pleas in a case involving an employee of Mini-Miracles Day Care and Learning Center in El Paso’s Lower Valley.

The sentence was handed down on Thursday, August 6 by 327th District Judge Monique Velarde Reyes following a criminal investigation into Resendiz for not compensating an employee for work performed during four pay periods ending in late 2024.

According to the County Attorney’s Office, the employee received multiple checks from Resendiz that were returned because there were insufficient funds in the account. After the wages remained unpaid, the employee reported it to law enforcement.

In a news release, El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez urged workers to report wage theft.

“We want the community to know that we are here to help and that no worker should ever be afraid to come forward,” Sanchez said. “Whether you are a citizen or not, if you performed work in El Paso and were not paid, you have rights, and our criminal unit is ready to review your case.”

The County Attorney’s Office noted that Resendiz was listed as the registered agent for Mini-Miracles Day Care and Learning Center until November 2025. The business is now under new ownership, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s records.

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