If you have information about any of these cases, email or
call the Criminal Investigation Division toll free at 800-531-5441, Ext. 3-8707. You do not have to
disclose your name.
Case Closed
The CID may not always get its man (or woman), but we do get quite a few. Here are some
recent examples:
August 2025
Caught Stealing
Georji Falcon Turino
Georji Falcon Turino, 31, of Midland, was convicted of evading motor fuel tax.
The investigation found the defendant illegally acquired approximately 400 gallons of diesel fuel using stolen credit card information. The defendant used a vehicle modified to acquire, transport and store the fuel.
A Midland County district judge sentenced Turino to two years’ incarceration after he accepted a plea bargain.
The sentence will be served in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
July 2025
Serving Time
Valdivia
Yasel Gonzalez Valdivia, 36, of Addison, was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity.
During the investigation, the defendant and his co-defendants illegally acquired diesel fuel by using pulsar tampering devices and stolen credit card information. The defendant used vehicles modified to acquire, transport, store, deliver and sell fuel. The offenses occurred across multiple counties in Texas.
A Delta County district judge sentenced Valdivia to 20 years’ incarceration (with 267 days’ jail time credit) for engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
The sentence will be served in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Breaking the state's laws is a losing proposition. Read about those who found that out the hard
way.
February 2026
Feb. 24
Patrick Y. Wong, 61, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly assaulting a public servant, a
third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect pushed a Comptroller of Public Accounts enforcement officer in the
stomach and used pepper spray on her face and head while the officer was in the commission of her lawful
duties in an attempt to collect sales and use tax.
The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.
Feb. 23
Yasmany Caceres Canto, 38, of Austin, was convicted of 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.
A Hays County district judge sentenced the defendant to six years’ deferred adjudication and 200 hours of
community service.
An investigation found the defendant illegally acquired approximately 30 gallons of diesel fuel valued at
about $100 using a stolen credit/debit card information.
Feb. 17
Luis Humberto Garcia, 31, of Odessa, was convicted of 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, and
engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and
a fine up to $10,000.
An Ector County district judge sentenced the defendant to seven years’ probation on each count, more than
$3,800 in fines and court costs, and $926 in restitution. Sentences will run concurrently.
An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants unlawfully siphoned approximately 340 gallons of
diesel fuel from the underground tank and delivered the fuel into vehicles modified to receive, transport
and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.
Feb. 13
David Morales, 53, of Tarzan, was arrested for accepting delivery of motor fuel without
shipping documents, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect accepted delivery of approximately 3,000 gallons of illegally acquired
and transported diesel fuel, valued around $10,000 and did not receive a shipping document for the delivery.
The case is pending prosecution in Martin County.
Feb. 4
Edmundo Contreras, 43, of Encinal, was arrested for transporting motor fuel without
shipping documents, 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 license, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10
years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect admitted to stealing approximately 190 gallons of untaxed, red-dyed
diesel fuel from his employer with intent to sell the fuel. Contreras failed to obtain a diesel fuel
distributor license and failed to possess shipping documents. 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.
The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.
Feb. 2
Ismely Fernandez Ramos, 37, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly 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, and unlawful use of a criminal
instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to
$10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect illegally obtained diesel fuel siphoned from the underground
fuel tanks.
The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.
Feb. 1
Yandy Barrio-Denis, 42, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel
tax and transporting motor fuel without a permit, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to
20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect manipulated fuel pumps and worked with others to unlawfully
appropriate about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel worth around $3,300.
The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.
Yosbel Benitez-Nuez, 25, of Pflugerville, was indicted for allegedly evading motor
fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without a permit, both second-degree felonies punishable by two
to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect manipulated fuel pumps and worked with others to unlawfully
appropriate about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel worth around $3,300.
The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.
Jose Medina-Torres, 29, of Hutto, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax
and transporting motor fuel without a permit, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20
years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect manipulated fuel pumps and worked with others to unlawfully
appropriate about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel worth around $3,300.
The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.
Samuel Trey Cornutt, 31, of Colorado City, Texas, was convicted of 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.
A Mitchell County district judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years’ deferred adjudication, a
$4,000 fine, $750 in reimbursement fees, $290 in court costs and 60 days in county jail. An
investigation found the defendant obtained red-dyed diesel fuel without the imposed back-up
liability tax being paid. 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.
Julian Rey Cantu, 28, of San Antonio, was convicted of concealing motor fuel, a
Class A misdemeanor.
A Crockett County district judge sentenced the defendant to six months’ deferred adjudication, a
$300 fine and $300 for court costs.
An investigation found the defendant was driving a truck tractor that contained 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.
