Case News

Asdiel Rodriguez Morales, 33, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by failing to pay the backup diesel tax liability of illegally appropriated fuel and transported approximately 260 gallons of untaxed dyed diesel fuel in an external auxiliary fuel tank. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

Morales is charged with transporting motor fuel without a cargo manifest or shipping documents and evading motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Midland County.

Sushant Chhetri, 34, of Houston, was arrested for allegedly failing to have an e-cigarette permit.

An investigation revealed that the suspect, who owns a vape shop, had several shelves with numerous e-cigarette products for sale without having an e-cigarette permit.

Chhetri is charged with failing to have an e-cigarette permit, a Class A misdemeanor.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Christian Alexis Jonathon Barron Gonzalez, 37, of Reynosa, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly engaged in a motor fuel transaction with an expired motor fuel transporter license. The license expired on Dec. 31, 2022.

Gonzalez is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Maverick County.

Raul Gonzalez Torres, 41, of Reynosa, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly engaged in a motor fuel transaction without holding a valid motor fuel transporter’s license.

Torres is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Maverick County.

Dayan Rafael Perez Herrera, 36, of Houston, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

An Ector County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years deferred adjudication and 120 hours of community service for the evading motor fuel tax charge.

In June 2023, an investigation revealed that the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 183 gallons of untaxed diesel fuel, thereby failing to pay the backup tax.

Godwin Elijah Ogoleh, 29, of Grand Prairie, pleaded guilty to attempting to sign a false statement/certificate.

A Tarrant County district judge sentenced the defendant to 12 months deferred adjudication with community supervision.

An investigation revealed that the defendant signed an application for a Texas title/registration knowing that the sales price listed was not the true and correct price and forged the buyer’s/complainant’s signature on the form and presented it as true and genuine document to the Tarrant County tax assessor-collector.

Osmel Marquez-Espinosa, 34, of Midland, was arrested for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax by unlawfully appropriating approximately 300 gallons of red-dyed diesel fuel. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

Marquez-Espinosa is charged with evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Matthew Ian Kelton, 27, of Euless, was indicted for allegedly tampering with governmental records.

Kelton is charged with three counts of tampering with governmental records, a state jail felony charge.

An investigation found the defendant, owner of a car dealership, made numerous false entries in vehicle inventory tax forms and filed them on different occasions with the Bosque County Tax-Assessor Collector’s office.

The case is pending prosecution in Bosque County.

Yaniel Corrales Esquijarosa, 33, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax by unlawfully appropriating approximately 50 gallons of red-dyed diesel fuel. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

Esquijarosa is charged with evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Midland County.

Israel Ryan Stone, 70, of Houston, was arrested for allegedly failing to remit tax by dealer in an amount from $1,500-$20,000.

An investigation revealed that the suspect, owner of Frontline Select, failed to remit about $4,581 in collected sales tax from three separate car purchases.

Stone is charged with failing to remit tax by dealer in an amount from $1,500-$20,000, a state jail felony.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

LaTonya Genarann Pham, 55, of Lufkin, was arrested for allegedly tampering with governmental records.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly tampered with governmental records to obtain a financial gain pertaining to legal business entities to which Pham had no affiliation.

Pham is charged with tampering with governmental records, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Angelina County.

Victor Medrano, 23, of Lamesa, was indicted for alleged forgery of a financial instrument.

An investigation found the defendant had forged a Texas Comptroller warrant for $2,500 and attempted to cash the forged warrant.

Medrano is charged with forgery of a financial instrument, a state jail felony.

The case is pending prosecution in Howard County.

Uchenna Murphy Okonkwo, 49, of Houston, was arrested for allegedly fraudulently inducing issuance of a bill of lading.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the quantity of goods described in the bill of lading to fraudulently export a vehicle.

Okonkwo was indicted on this charge in Brazoria County on April 4.

Okonkwo is charged with fraudulently inducing issuance of a bill of lading, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Brazoria County.

Dan Henry Robinson, Jr., 60, of Fort Worth, was arrested for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by unlawfully appropriating approximately 200 gallons of red-dyed diesel fuel. In Texas, non-taxable diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from taxable diesel. Red-dyed diesel is authorized almost exclusively for off-road, agricultural use by permit holders only.

Robinson, Jr. is charged with evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Alejandro Santiago Muniz, 35, of Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 5,060 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Muniz is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Mario Alberto Leal Mota, 49, of Matamoros, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,900 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Mota is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Leonardo Alvarado, 31, of San Juan, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Alvarado is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Dejaune Royal Johnson, 35, of Mansfield, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 7,200 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Johnson is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Luis Gerardo Zamora, 30, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,082 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Zamora is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Julio Cesar Puente Pulido, 43, of Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,916 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Pulido is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Erick G. Padilla Armendariz, 33, of Reynosa, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,600 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Armendariz is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Francisco Hernandez Uribe, 42, of Reynosa, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,743 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Uribe is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Edgar Castro-Betancourt, 45, of Tamaulipas, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 7,793 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Castro-Betancourt is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Jose Santos Nevarez Galvan, 38, of Matamoros, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,900 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Galvan is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Enrique Garcia, 54, of Edcouch, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Garcia is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Jesse Penecale, 46, of Laredo, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 7,800 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Penecale is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Pedro Rodriguez, III, 32, of Pharr, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 6,999 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Webb County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Rodriguez is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Aldo Eder Guevara Marquez, 37, of Reynosa, Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 8,010 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Marquez is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Fabian Osvaldo Rodriguez Chable, 40, of Mexico, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

An investigation revealed that the suspect engaged in a motor fuel transaction, transporting approximately 7,441 gallons of diesel fuel in a fuel tanker and operating on public highways in Hidalgo County without a motor fuel transporter’s license.

Chable is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Braulio Valle Corona, 30, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

An Ector County district judge sentenced the defendant to 5 years deferred adjudication with community supervision, a fine of about $1,050 and restitution of approximately $3,138.

In December 2021, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated about 150 gallons of diesel fuel that was extracted from the underground tank at a gas station.

Donald Wayne Natt, 51, of Dallas, was indicted for allegedly possessing and transporting unstamped cigarettes, and theft in an amount between $2,500 and $20,000.

Natt is charged with possession and transportation of unstamped cigarettes, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and theft in an amount between $2,500 and $20,000, a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant stole unstamped cigarettes totaling about $24,197 and 72,000 individual sticks from a location to which Natt delivered food products.

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s office broke up the felony theft aggregate amount and indicted Natt on four counts of felony theft.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Fernando Luis Corral, 68, of El Paso, was indicted for allegedly failing to remit tax by dealer in an amount between $1,500 and $20,000.

An investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly failed to pay the motor vehicle sales tax collected on 12 vehicles sold, with an approximate total value $8,500.

Corral is charged with failing to remit tax by dealer in an amount between $1,500 and $20,000, a state jail felony.

The case is pending prosecution in El Paso County.

Luis Humberto Garcia Peguero, 29, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity and evading motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect unlawfully appropriated about 350 gallons of diesel fuel delivered into a van that was modified to have two totes in the back of the vehicle. This vehicle had been seen in the vicinity of 20 other fuel thefts throughout four different counties.

Peguero is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000, and evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Midland County.

Luis Miguel Torres La Rosa, 26, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without shipping documents.

An investigation revealed that the suspect unlawfully appropriated about 350 gallons of diesel fuel delivered into a van that was modified to have two totes in the back of the vehicle. This vehicle had been seen in the vicinity of 20 other fuel thefts throughout four different counties.

Torres La Rosa is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000, and evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Midland County.

Duviel Alfonso Aguilar, 33, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity and evading motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect unlawfully appropriated about 350 gallons of diesel fuel delivered into a van that was modified to have two totes in the back of the vehicle. This vehicle had been seen in the vicinity of 20 other fuel thefts throughout four different counties.

Aguilar is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000, and evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Midland County.

Leosvani Hernandez-Ramos, 24, of Dallas, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without shipping documents.

A Dallas County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system but prorated the sentence to five years’ probation.

In August 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant failed to pay the backup diesel tax liability on 49 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel and intentionally and knowingly transported the fuel without shipping documents.

Yosvel Garcia-Moya, 24, of Plano, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Dallas County district judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system but prorated the sentence to 3 years’ probation.

In August 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant failed to pay the backup diesel tax liability on 49 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel.

Yordan Ajete, 39, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Dallas County district judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system but prorated the sentence to five years’ probation.

In August 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant failed to pay the backup diesel tax liability on 49 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel.

Korbin Rayce Hamilton, 34, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to accepting motor fuel delivery without shipping documents and evading motor fuel tax.

An Ector County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication with community supervision, court costs of about $290, reimbursement fees of about $150 and a $50 fine.

In November 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant accepted delivery of illegally appropriated diesel fuel into the saddle fuel tanks of a truck.

Yazan Ahmad Hassan, 29, of Euless, was indicted for allegedly possessing untaxed tobacco and books and records violation.

Hassan is charged with possession of untaxed tobacco and books and records violation, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly failed to pay the tax due on tobacco products in excess of $9,000 and did not provide or possess records of purchase for the tobacco products he had in his possession.

The case is pending prosecution in Dallas County.

Manuel Ramos Benavides, 34, of Dallas, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax.

Benavides is charged with evading motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully acquired approximately 106 gallons of diesel fuel valued at around $376 using a re-encoded credit card.

The case is pending prosecution in Dallas County.

Yordanis Ramirez Soto, 42, of Pasadena, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without a cargo manifest and engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a permit.

Soto is charged with transporting motor fuel without a cargo manifest, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a permit, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully acquired approximately 348 gallons of diesel fuel using a re-encoded credit card. The fuel was delivered into six 300-gallon totes in the cargo area of a box truck.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Milton Diaz, 56, of Cypress, was indicted for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a permit.

Diaz is charged with engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a permit, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the defendant was retaining and delivering stolen diesel fuel from a diesel fuel supplier to a fuel storage tank, and the approximate value was $200,000 over a year.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Miguel Perez Naranjo, 41, of Bexar County, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax, transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and fraudulent use/possession of debit/credit cards.

Naranjo is charged with evading motor fuel tax, transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and fraudulent use/possession of debit/credit cards, all second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the defendant illegally acquired approximately 56.5 gallons of fuel valued around $200 using re-encoded cards. A 248-gallon auxiliary fuel tank was observed in the back of a van that was used to transport large quantities of stolen diesel fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.