The Houston heat clings to everything, even the whispers about Lei Gao. They call him “Jason” sometimes, a slick Americanization for a man now wanted by the FBI for a theft that runs deeper than oil in these Texas fields. It wasn’t a smash-and-grab, no forced entry and panicked getaway. This was a slow bleed, a calculated extraction of innovation from a local coiled tubing manufacturer between 2019 and 2020. Gao, born in China on January 25, 1975, allegedly didn’t need crowbars, just connections and a willingness to gut a company for profit. The feds say he wasn’t working alone, a network of shadows helping him siphon off the very lifeblood of a business.
The victim company isn’t talking much, understandably. Years of research, engineering, and capital poured into designs now surfacing in a competing product, hitting the market in 2020. That’s the sting, the cold realization that your work is being sold against you. Gao, described as 5’8”, around 180 pounds, with black hair and eyes, moved within the oil and gas sector, a ghost in the machine. He understood the tech, understood the value, and exploited it. This wasn’t impulsive; this was a carefully orchestrated plan to steal intellectual property and turn it into cold, hard cash.
What makes this case particularly unsettling is the quiet efficiency of it all. No alarms blaring, no frantic chases. Just the slow, creeping realization of loss. The FBI believes Gao fled the United States, a calculated escape by a man who understands risk. They consider him a serious flight risk, and for good reason. He’s not some street thug leaving a trail of broken glass; he’s a ghost with a passport, capable of disappearing into the vastness of the world.
A substantial reward is being offered for information leading to his capture, but money only goes so far when chasing a phantom. The damage is done, the company wounded, and the principle violated. The FBI needs eyes and ears on the ground, anyone who might have seen this man, this “Jason,” anyone who knows his movements or current whereabouts.
If you have any information regarding the location of Lei Gao, no matter how small, contact the FBI immediately. Don’t wait for the heat to cool. Don’t let him fade into the shadows. The number to call is 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit your tip online at tips.fbi.gov. This isn’t just about stolen trade secrets; it’s about protecting American innovation from those who would prey on it.
🔠Key Facts
| Full Name | Lei Gao |
| Charges | Conspiracy to Commit Theft and Possession of Trade Secrets; Receiving and Buying Trade Secrets and Aiding and Abetting; Attempted Receiving and Buying Trade Secrets |
| Aliases | None known |
| Date of Birth | January 25, 1975 |
| Race / Sex | asian / Male |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Height | 5’8″ |
| Weight | 180 lbs |
| Eyes / Hair | black / black |
| Scars & Marks | None reported |
| Location | Texas |
📋 Source: FBI Most Wanted — Lei Gao
If you have information about this fugitive, contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- Arnoldo Rueda-Medina, Cocaine and Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Texas · Pennsylvania
- Daniel Laurel, Money Laundering Conspiracy, Texas 2018 · New York
- Jose Henry Hernandez-Garcia, Racketeering Conspiracy and Murder, No… · Mississippi
- Nicholas Ochs, Capitol Riot Participation, Texas, 2022 · District of Columbia
- Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, Seditious Conspiracy, Washington DC, 2021 · California
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Organized CrimeOrganized CrimeOrganized CrimeOrganized Crime