DENVER, CO – Yamany Guerra-Pena, 36, of Miami, Florida, is headed to federal prison for 55 months after admitting to a sprawling fraud and theft scheme that targeted gas pumps and vehicle owners across the Colorado Springs area. The Cuban national pleaded guilty to bank fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to transport stolen goods – charges stemming from a two-year operation that left dozens of victims reeling.
From 2021 through early 2023, Guerra-Pena and his accomplices blanketed Colorado Springs gas stations with credit card skimmers. These devices silently harvested bank account numbers from unsuspecting customers, providing the raw material for a lucrative criminal enterprise. The stolen data wasn’t used for small purchases; Guerra-Pena manufactured fraudulent clone-cards and racked up thousands of dollars in diesel fuel purchases, which were then dumped onto the black market for a quick profit.
But the skimming operation was just one facet of Guerra-Pena’s criminal activity. He also specialized in stealing personal vehicles and heavy construction equipment. The stolen property wasn’t resold as is. Guerra-Pena meticulously removed the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), effectively erasing the vehicles’ identities before selling them to unwitting buyers in the Miami area. This practice not only defrauded buyers but also complicated recovery efforts for legitimate owners.
“Stopping criminals like Guerra-Pena who prey on innocent Coloradans is a critical priority of our office,” stated Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. The 55-month sentence, coupled with three years of supervised release and $76,980 in restitution, reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating these crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the collaborative nature of the investigation.
“This sentencing demonstrates our collective resolve to deter crimes threatening our financial infrastructure,” said Marc DellaSala, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Denver Field Office. “We are dedicated to disrupting all schemes which undermine our nation’s financial security and negatively impact law-abiding Americans.” Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez added, “The Colorado Springs Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit takes these types of crimes seriously because of the significant impact they have on individual community members and local businesses.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service Denver Field Office and the Colorado Springs Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Tim Neff leading the prosecution before United States District Court Judge William J. Martinez. Case number 23-cr-00037-WJM. The sentencing serves as a warning: exploiting the financial system and stealing from hard-working Americans will be met with swift and decisive legal action.
Related Federal Cases
- Amin Suliaman, COVID-19 Loan Fraud, Colorado 2024 · Minnesota
- Emily Wilson, Tax Fraud Scheme, Colorado 2022 · Tennessee
- Pastor Charles Lawrence Kennedy, Jr., Wire Fraud, Colorado 2014 · New Mexico
- David Young, Procurement Fraud Scheme, Hernando Beach FL, 2023 · Arizona
- Kiara Nicole Hall, Wire Fraud, MI 2017 · Michigan
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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