⏱ 2 min read
Six individuals have pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil from producers in the Permian Basin, specifically in Eastern New Mexico and Texas. The defendants, including Gyardo Gonzalez, Mario Mendoza, Miguel A. Soto, Luis Rojo, Diana Marquez Rojo, and Jesus Martin Hernandez-Borja, admitted to stealing the oil and selling it to other individuals, Louis George Edgett and Brenden Floyd Strickland, who are also charged in the case. The crimes occurred over an unspecified period, culminating in the guilty pleas on July 15. The motive behind the thefts was financial gain, with the defendants seeking to profit from the stolen oil.
The investigation was led by the FBI, with assistance from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and resulted in the disruption of an organized theft group. According to U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould, oil theft is not a victimless crime, as it weakens the energy infrastructure and threatens energy security. The FBI and BLM are committed to investigating and prosecuting these types of fuel theft schemes.
The guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to pursuing those who engage in large-scale theft and distribution of stolen goods. The FBI, in particular, will continue to work with its partners to combat these crimes. The case highlights the importance of collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies in disrupting organized crime groups.
The outcome of the case serves as a warning to those who would seek to profit from stealing crude oil. The defendants’ actions not only harmed the oil producers but also disrupted the fair market, according to Eric Kriley, BLM Director of Law Enforcement. As the investigation and prosecution of these crimes continue, it is clear that law enforcement agencies will not tolerate oil theft and will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: Texas
- Location: TX
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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