The grimy underbelly of fuel fraud has been exposed as a federal indictment named five alleged kingpins in a multi-state gas pump skimming device and fuel theft ring. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg revealed the charges against Luis Edel Trujillo Pena (29, Miami), Deyvis Hernandez (37, Miami), Luis Ernesto Vigil Ochoa (32, Miami), Isvaldo Guerra Perdomo (38, Jacksonville), and Deonelky Tabares Cid (36, Tampa).
This crew is accused of conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, fifteen counts of access device fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, each faces a grim sentence: up to 20 years for wire fraud, ten years for access device fraud, five years for the conspiracy count, and a mandatory two-year consecutive penalty for each aggravated identity theft charge.
According to court documents, their sinister scheme involved placing skimmers on gas pumps in Florida and other states. They then used the stolen account numbers to create counterfeit credit and debit cards, fueling up with diesel at the pump. With vehicles equipped with bladders and containers, they transferred the pilfered diesel into storage, which was later sold to an affiliated gas station.
While an indictment is a formal charge, not proof of guilt, the consequences are dire if these suspects are found guilty. The investigation leading to their arrest was a collaborative effort by multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Highway Patrol, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, U.S. General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein will be handling the prosecution of this case. For now, these alleged criminals are in custody, facing the music for their fraudulent fuel-fueled escapades.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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