Image Credit: Residences at Hardin Valley / Facebook & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
A man indicted for obstructing ICE in Hardin Valley has entered a plea agreement, looking to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to conceal illegal aliens for personal gain in exchange for having the remaining charges dropped and recommendation for a lighter prison sentence.
Nicholas Foy Pastore was one of four men indicted earlier this year for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to block the entrance to a Hardin Valley construction site to keep ICE agents from conducting a raid, with charges accusing all four men of conspiring to harbor individuals in the country illegally for their own financial profit.
One of the primary suspects, Tyler Shane Wells, a Morristown contractor who participated in the physical impediment of the ICE officers by using a truck to block the site entrance, has since tried to distance himself from his co-defendants in the case. He first requested his case be dismissed, alleging the government violated his rights by deporting the witnesses, but later filed for a new motion requesting he be tried separately when the dismissal was not granted.
Now, it appears a second of the four is looking to disassociate from the other defendants as Pastore has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to conceal, harbor, and shield illegal aliens from detention for commercial advantage and private financial gain in exchange for a reduced prison sentence and the remainder of the charges being dismissed.
He was originally charged in March of 2026 with the conspiracy charge and six additional counts of aiding and abetting to conceal an alien from detection for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain.
As part of the deal, he must also admit to several key facts in the case, including acknowledgment that Pastore worked with the co-defendants to harbor workers he knew to be in the country illegally from “at least September 2025 and continuing through January 2026.”
“The defendant conspired with others to harbor these persons, which made them available to work at the site,” court documents said.
By agreeing to plead guilty, Pastore will surrender his trial rights, agree to pay all court-ordered fees, agree not to file a direct appeal of his conviction or sentence, and waive his right to federal records related to the prosecution or investigation of his case.
Assuming the judge accepts the plea agreement at the change of plea hearing scheduled for Aug. 20, six of the seven charges will be dropped and Pastore will be sentenced as a minor participant in the crime which would recommend him for a shorter prison sentence, to which the government has said it will not object.
The other three cases are still outstanding.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
