KANSAS CITY, KANS. – A shocking case of stolen merchandise has come to light in Kansas, with two Texas men at the center of the scandal.
Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, were charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of mail fraud.
The alleged crimes took place between May 2023 and May 2024, during which time Ditz and Alaniz used their employment at a freight-contracting company in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, to obtain Garmin brand watches that were in transit to Garmin’s warehouse in Olathe, Kansas.
The duo allegedly sold dozens of the stolen Garmin watches over the Internet to unwitting buyers.
According to the indictment, in addition to the watches allegedly associated with or sold by Ditz and Alaniz, other watches stolen from the Garmin shipping container have registrations that appear to be connected to more than a dozen individuals (approximately fifteen percent of the workforce) assigned or formerly assigned at the Santa Teresa train station.
Ditz made his initial court appearance on July 29, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas. Alaniz made his initial court appearance on July 30, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gerald Ditz and Michael Alaniz are currently facing charges related to the stolen merchandise scandal.
This shocking case highlights the need for increased security measures in the transportation of valuable goods.
The full extent of the scandal is still unclear, but one thing is certain: the defendants will face the consequences of their alleged actions.
Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, are expected to face justice for their alleged crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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