BANGOR (AP) – A Harrington woman has pleaded guilty to conspiring with her husband to bring in illegal aliens in 2005 and 2006 to work in a sea-products plant and restaurant.

Doris Amanda Ayala Escalante, 38, who is well-known in eastern Maine’s Hispanic community, also pleaded guilty to visa fraud Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Escalante admitted hiring at least 10 illegal aliens to work at a Washington County sea cucumber processing plant and at a restaurant she operated with relatives.

She could face up to 10 years in federal prison on the visa fraud charge and five years for conspiracy, but the terms could be reduced by a plea bargain.

Escalante’s husband, Juan Centeno Perez was indicted last month on a charge of conspiring to hire illegal aliens. Federal officials believe he’s left the state.