Case News

Maria De La Luz Marquez Montiel, 52, of Laredo, was arrested for forgery of a government record, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, and 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.

An investigation revealed the suspect failed to submit two International Fuel Tax Agreement tax reports, forged another person’s signature on a limited power of attorney form and submitted the forged record to the Comptroller's office.

The case is pending prosecution in Webb County.

Kennard Riley, 72, of Pleasanton, was indicted for allegedly 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.

An investigation found the defendant illegally obtained diesel fuel multiple times from an unsecured Atascosa County Precinct #4 fuel pump and delivered it into his personal vehicle supply tank and auxiliary fuel tank.

The case is pending prosecution in Atascosa County.

Omar Shalham, 48, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly making false entries and failing to enter tax records, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly presented a Texas Sales and Use Tax permit pertaining to an unrelated third party to a vendor whom he conducted business with in order to avoid paying over $600 in sales and use tax.

The case is pending prosecution in Galveston County.

James Willie Haskin Jr., 32, of Houston, was indicted for books and records violation, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant was involved in multiple burglaries where numerous cigarette cartons were stolen. He was then selling the stolen cigarettes without any documentation; specifically, a record of purchase.

The case is pending prosecution in Liberty County.

Asif Amir Ali Daredia, 29, of San Antonio, was convicted of failing to have an e-cigarette permit, a Class A Misdemeanor.

A Kerr County district judge ordered Daredia to pay a fine of $500 and $300 in court costs.

An investigation found the defendant had numerous e-cigarette products displayed for sale but did not have a permit posted and failed to produce a permit when asked.

Anas Hontouli, 24, of Mansfield, was convicted of possession of tobacco with tax due and books and records violation, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An Ellis County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication and a fine of $500.

An investigation found the defendant purchased cigars from an unpermitted, out of state tobacco distributor and then sold said untaxed cigars to a store owner to display or offer for sale in his retail store.

Ernesto Rivas, 52, of Burleson, was indicted for allegedly failing to remit tax collected by a dealer of $20,000 to $100,000, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant failed to remit tax collected on 31 vehicles over the span of a year, totaling over $43,000 that Rivas collected as a dealer and failed to remit.

The case is pending prosecution in Johnson County.

Azeem Noorani, 60, of Sugar Land, was convicted of possessing coin- operated amusement machines without a license or registration certificate, a Class A Misdemeanor.

A Bosque County district judge sentenced the defendant to 90 days’ deferred adjudication and $270 in court costs.

An investigation found the defendant was operating seven coin-operated amusement machines inside his business and did not have a license or registration to possess these machines.

Yasel Gonzalez Valdivia, 35, of Addison, was indicted for allegedly 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.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants used vehicles modified for the purpose of acquiring, transporting, storing and offering for sale illegally acquired motor fuel. The fuel was obtained by tampering with the fuel dispenser and using stolen credit card information.

The case is pending prosecution in Delta County.

Christopher Lamar Dunbar, 36, of Mexia, was indicted for allegedly 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; transporting motor fuels without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuels tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000; and two counts of unlawful use of a criminal instrument, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated in carrying on criminal activities with the intent to profit off the thefts of motor fuel. The case is pending prosecution in Navarro County.

Artavius Glenn Williams, 37, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly 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; transporting motor fuels without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuels tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000; and two counts of unlawful use of a criminal instrument, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated in carrying on criminal activities with the intent to profit off the thefts of motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Navarro County.

Anwar Zeb Safi, 42, of Copperas Cove, was arrested for possession of tobacco tax due and failing to keep books and records, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly failed to pay the tax due on tobacco products and did not provide or possess books and records for the 318 packages of hookah tobacco products displayed for sale.

The case is pending prosecution in Coryell County.

Zeshan M. Salimi, 35, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty to possession of tobacco with tax due and books and records violation.

A Johnson County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication and a fine of $750.

In January 2024, an investigation revealed the defendant possessed and displayed for sale approximately 317 cigars purchased from another retailer in Ellis County, who purchased said cigars from an out-of-state distributor that was not a permitted Texas tobacco distributor.

Durbis Luis Machado Feria, 42, of San Antonio, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully obtained approximately 88 gallons of diesel fuel valued at approximately $300 using a re-encoded credit card. The diesel was delivered into a vehicle equipped with a long fuel hose, fuel nozzle, digital fuel meter and a fuel pump.

The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.

Miguel Parra Viamontes, 36, of San Antonio, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and fraudulent use/possession of credit/debit card information, a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully obtained approximately 88 gallons of diesel fuel valued at approximately $300 using a re-encoded credit card. The diesel was delivered into a vehicle equipped with a long fuel hose, fuel nozzle, digital fuel meter and a fuel pump.

The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.

Shane Wells, 42, of Denton, was convicted of theft of a property valued at $750 to $2,500, a third-degree felony, reduced to a misdemeanor.

A Denton County district judge sentenced the defendant to 12 months’ deferred adjudication.

An investigation found the defendant falsified an Application of Texas Title and/or Registration that reflected a lower sales price than the bill of sale provided by the purchaser.

Yosvani Padron Rodriguez, 53, of Midland, took a plea bargain for allegedly 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 Martin County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ probation, 300 hours’ community service and a fine of $2,000.

An investigation found the defendant illegally appropriated approximately 135 gallons of dyed diesel fuel from a business. 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.

Roberto Carlos Cedeno Perez, 28, of Midland, was arrested for allegedly 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 suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded motor fuel tax by purchasing and storing approximately 1,000 gallons of untaxed dyed diesel fuel stored in totes at the suspect’s residence. 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 Midland County.

Renier Flores Menendez, 31, of Hutto, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant transported illegally acquired diesel fuel on a public highway in an auxiliary tank of a vehicle without paying the back-up tax liability.

The case is pending prosecution in Scurry County.

Thaddis Deonte Clark Jr., 30, of Killeen, was arrested for allegedly operating a business without a proper tobacco permit, a Class A Misdemeanor.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly possessed hookah-type tobacco displayed for sale and signage showing the sales price and flavors without having a tobacco permit or tobacco invoices.

The case is pending prosecution in Bell County.

Jana Delores Polk, 31, of Killeen, was arrested for allegedly operating a business without a proper tobacco permit, a Class A Misdemeanor.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly possessed hookah-type tobacco displayed for sale and signage showing the sales price and flavors without having a tobacco permit or tobacco invoices.

The case is pending prosecution in Bell County.

Blake Edward Kamprath, 39, of North Richland Hills, was convicted of transporting motor fuels without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuels tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. He was also convicted of mutilating, destroying or secreting required books/records; engaging in motor fuel transactions that require a license; and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, all third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

A Bowie County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ jail time with 50 days credit, 150 hours of community service and a fine of $2,000.

An investigation found the defendant illegally appropriated 60 gallons of red-dyed diesel fuel from a business. 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.

Hamza Skopljak, 32, of Fate, was indicted for allegedly providing a false name and information and forgery, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant falsified an Application of Texas Title and/or Registration that reflected a lower sales price than the bill of sale provided by the purchaser, a total difference of about $3,300.

The case is pending prosecution in Dallas County

Ahmad Maktabi, 58, of Garland, pleaded guilty to attempted non-payment of tax, a Class B Misdemeanor.

A Dallas County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication and restitution of $15,000.

An investigation found the defendant and co-defendants engaged in organized criminal activity to import, distribute and sell untaxed tobacco in Texas. Maktabi was convicted of the Class B Misdemeanor, attempted non-payment of tax.

Rodney Roberto Cervantes-Diaz, 45, of Farmersville, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and unlawful use of criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by using stolen credit and debit card information to acquire motor fuel, transported the illegally acquired motor fuel without shipping documents, and unlawfully used a criminal instrument that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Fannin County.

Adolfo Manuel Rodriguez Villafane, 25, of Converse, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and fraudulent use/possession of credit/debit card information, a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 190 gallons of fuel worth $722 using stolen credit/debit card information and transported the illegally acquired fuel on the public roadway. The defendant was found in possession of two cloned cards.

The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.

Liodan Rodriguez, 39, of Miami, Fla., was arrested for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by possessing dyed diesel fuel stored in truck tractor supply tanks. 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.

Rodriguez 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 Reagan County.

Raul Lopez-Melgoza, 41, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly engaging in a motor fuel transaction that requires a license, transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, all 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 and mutilating, destroying or secreting a book of records required, both third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully obtained approximately 85 gallons of dyed diesel fuel from a construction job site. 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 Grayson County.

Richard Mack, 39, of Coppell, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant used a cloned card to unlawfully obtain approximately 32 gallons of fuel valued at $100. The defendant then transported the illegally acquired fuel on the public roadway.

The case is pending prosecution in Dallas County.

Owen Timothy Omoregie, 31, of Allen, was indicted for allegedly providing a false name and false information and forgery, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant falsified an Application of Texas Title and/or Registration that reflected a lower sales price than the bill of sale provided by the purchaser. There was a difference of $9,100 between the actual sales price and what was reported on the falsified application.

The case is pending prosecution in Hunt County.

Oscar Marin Rodriguez, 31, of Greenville, was indicted for allegedly 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.

An investigation found the defendant failed to pay the backup tax liability by dispensing approximately 160 gallons of illegally appropriated tax-free dyed diesel fuel and delivering it into the side saddle tanks of his vehicle. 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 Hunt County.

Yunisan Dreke-Jardines, 41, of Lancaster, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in transporting fuel without shipping documents, and attempted to evade motor fuel tax by using stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Jeymi Rachel Salamanca, 24, of Grand Prairie, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in transporting fuel without shipping documents, and attempted to evade motor fuel tax by using stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Eduardo Torres, 51, of Edinburg, pleaded guilty to using/possessing fraudulent identifying information and credit or debit card abuse.

A Hidalgo County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication and a fine of $5,000.

In April 2020, an investigation revealed the defendant fraudulently used a credit card without the owner’s consent to unlawfully appropriate approximately 104 gallons of diesel fuel worth $234.

Carlos Javier Dixon Viel, 29, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in transporting fuel without shipping documents, and attempted to evade motor fuel tax by using stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Yosvany Jimenez, 35, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in transporting fuel without shipping documents, and attempted to evade motor fuel tax by using stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Johan Sainz Gomez, 45, of Irving, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants collaborated with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in transporting fuel without shipping documents, and attempted to evade motor fuel tax by using stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Darien Rodriguez Franco, 40, of Haltom City, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Yosdel Saustre Feria, 36, of Irving, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Yolday Feria Gomez, 41, of Irving, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Leonel Escalante Machin, 38, of Plano, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Aniel Delgado Soriano, 37, of Irving, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Ernesto Rodriguez Martinez, 41, of Addison, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Omar Campa, 55, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Rolando Campa, 59, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Pedro Daniel Fernandez Perez, 39, of Kissimmee, Fla., was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Roberto Leon Arias, 37, of Newark, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Aylin Mujica, 34, of Humble, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.

Yojanes Burgos Vazquez, 36, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term between 5 and 99 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants manipulated fuel dispenser pumps at local gas stations to unlawfully obtain diesel fuel frequently using re-encoded credit, debit and gift cards and a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.