Meat Thief Avetisyan Faces 20 Years

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A brazen theft ripped through the heartland, culminating in a guilty plea Monday from a California trucker who pilfered a $160,000 load of meat. Gegham Avetisyan, 37, of Valley Village, California, confessed to one count of wire fraud, admitting he never intended to deliver the goods.

According to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, Avetisyan contracted with a freight brokerage in Olathe, Kansas, to haul the meat shipment to multiple destinations in California. But the deal was built on deceit. Avetisyan used the false name Robert Ivanov when faxing documentation to the company, a clear indication of premeditation. He picked up the refrigerated cargo from a packing plant in Omaha, Nebraska, and then…vanished.

The missing meat triggered an investigation, quickly revealing Avetisyan’s fraudulent scheme. No delivery was ever made to any of the intended recipients. The freight company was left holding the bag, facing significant financial loss and a tarnished reputation. The value of the stolen meat topped $160,000, a hefty sum even in the volatile world of freight.

Avetisyan’s carefully constructed facade crumbled under federal scrutiny. The FBI took the lead on the investigation, meticulously tracing the stolen shipment and uncovering the layers of deception. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley skillfully presented the evidence, securing the guilty plea that was entered in federal court Monday.

Now, Avetisyan faces the consequences. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12th. He’s looking at a potential sentence of up to 20 years behind federal bars, along with a maximum fine of $250,000. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a signal that federal authorities are serious about prosecuting large-scale freight fraud.

U.S. Attorney McAllister praised the collaborative effort of the FBI and AUSA Oakley, underscoring the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling complex criminal schemes. This case serves as a stark reminder that even in the seemingly mundane world of trucking and freight, crime lurks, and those who attempt to profit through deceit will be held accountable. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches.