Case News

Kent Berger, 74, of New Orleans, La., was arrested for allegedly tampering with a government record.

An investigation revealed that the suspect tampered with the Texas Application for Non-Retailer Cigarette, Cigar and/or Tobacco Products Permit by knowingly making false entries and omissions, then presented the application to the Texas Comptroller’s office.

Berger is charged with tampering with a government record, 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 Tarrant County.

Shane Aaron Wells, 41, of Argyle, was arrested for allegedly tampering with a government record with intent to defraud/harm and giving false name information/forgery on vehicle registration.

An investigation revealed that the suspect signed for a false sales price on a Texas title/registration form, knowing that the sales price listed was not true and correct, to evade paying the motor vehicle sales tax, while also submitting a false bill of sale.

Wells is charged with tampering with a government record with intent to defraud/harm, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 and giving false name information/forgery on vehicle registration, 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 Denton County.

Yoisbel Banos Gomez, 27, of Odessa, 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 motor fuel tax by failing to pay the backup diesel tax liability on illegally appropriated red-dyed diesel fuel. The fuel was delivered to an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of a pickup truck.

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.

Gomez 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 Crane County.

Orlan Corcho Martinez, 36, of Odessa, 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 motor fuel tax by failing to pay the backup diesel tax liability on illegally appropriated red-dyed diesel fuel. The fuel was delivered to an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of a pickup truck.

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.

Martinez 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 Crane County.

Rhandy Caballero, 36, of Austin, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Williamson County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication.

In August 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 167 gallons of diesel fuel worth around $598, using several re-encoded cards with stolen credit and debit card information.

Orestes Rodriguez Alpizar, 47, of Austin, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Williamson County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication.

In August 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 167 gallons of diesel fuel worth around $598, using several re-encoded cards with stolen credit and debit card information.

Estella Youngblood, 57, of Grapevine, was arrested for allegedly tampering with a government record.

An investigation revealed that the suspect tampered with the Texas Application for Non-Retailer Cigarette, Cigar and/or Tobacco Products Permit by knowingly making false entries and omissions, then presented the application to the Texas Comptroller’s office.

Youngblood is charged with tampering with a government record, 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 Tarrant County.

Ernesto Gonzalez-Romero, 38, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Gonzalez-Romero 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.

An investigation found the defendant illegally appropriated approximately 309 gallons of diesel fuel worth about $1,233 by using a pulsar manipulation device. The diesel fuel was delivered into an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of a truck.

The case is pending prosecution in Burleson County.

Sheridan Morgan Broadhead, 36, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly evading motor fuel tax, transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and unlawful use of criminal instrument.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded a tax imposed on motor fuel by failing to pay the backup diesel tax liability on approximately 165 gallons of illegally appropriated untaxed dyed diesel fuel. The fuel was delivered into the external diesel tanks in the bed of a pickup truck. 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.

Evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without cargo manifest or shipping documents are 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 is 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 Ector County.

Velma L. Alvarado, 69, of Houston, pleaded guilty to tampering with government records with intent to defraud.

A Harris County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years deferred adjudication, attendance at an effective decision-making class and an anti-theft class, along with $270 in court costs and $145 in reimbursement fees.

In June 2021, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully signed an Application for Texas Title and/or Registration for an automobile that had already been sold in 2020, defrauding the state for more than $1,000 in sales tax.

Jose G. Alvarado, 64, of Houston, pleaded guilty to tampering with government records with intent to defraud.

A Harris County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years deferred adjudication, attendance at an effective decision-making class and an anti-theft class, along with $270 in court costs and $145 in reimbursement fees.

In June 2021, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully signed an Application for Texas Title and/or Registration for an automobile that had already been sold in 2020, defrauding the state for more than $1,000 in sales tax.

Yadir Lozanos Cruz, 42, of Kermit, was arrested for allegedly evading motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed the suspect, along with 16 other suspects in an organized crime ring, unlawfully appropriated about 2,916 gallons of diesel fuel worth approximately $20,900 from 16 separate transactions using cloned credit cards.

Evading motor fuel tax is 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 Winkler County.

Alberto Cuni Martinez, 24, of Houston, was arrested for allegedly evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without shipping documents.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded a tax imposed on motor fuel by failing to pay the backup diesel tax liability on approximately 47 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel using a cloned credit card. The fuel was delivered into a concealed auxiliary fuel tank located in the bed of a truck, which was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.

Attempting to evade motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without cargo manifest or shipping documents are 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 Galveston County.

Daniel Alejandro Heredia-Herrera, 22, of Austin, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Gonzales County district judge sentenced the defendant to four years deferred adjudication, along with a $1,500 fine, $340 in court costs, $6,207 in restitution and 240 hours of community service.

In July 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded a tax imposed on motor fuel by tampering with the fuel dispenser’s pulsar to acquire approximately 2,028 gallons of diesel fuel while only paying for approximately 181 gallons, illegally acquiring 1,848 gallons of diesel fuel valued over $6,000.

Frank Perez-Reyes, 35, of Venus, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax, transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and unlawful use of a criminal instrument.

An Ellis County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years deferred adjudication on the charges.

Between June and July 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded a tax imposed on motor fuel by tampering with the fuel dispenser’s pulsar to acquire approximately 1,259 gallons of diesel fuel worth over $6,000. The fuel was delivered to a truck, which was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel, with intent to engage in the offense of transporting motor fuel without a cargo manifest.

Giosbani Rafael Marero Sanbrano, 40, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Sanbrano 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.

An investigation found the defendant illegally appropriated approximately 136 gallons of diesel fuel by using a pulsar manipulation device. The diesel fuel was delivered into an external fuel tank of a car.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Pedro M. Cansino Gonzalez, 36, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Gonzalez 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.

An investigation found the defendant illegally appropriated approximately 136 gallons of diesel fuel by using a pulsar manipulation device. The diesel fuel was delivered into an external fuel tank of a car.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Alfredo Virgilio Chapur Dominguez, 26, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents.

Dominguez is charged with 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.

An investigation found the defendant used a long hose to siphon diesel fuel from the underground tank and unlawfully appropriated approximately 274 gallons of diesel fuel. The diesel fuel was delivered into auxiliary fuel tanks inside of his vehicle, which was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Fort Bend County.

Yoandry Miguel Iglesias, 39, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Iglesias 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.

An investigation found the defendant illegally appropriated approximately 217 gallons of diesel fuel by using a pulsar manipulation device. The diesel fuel was delivered into a saddle fuel tank mounted in the bed of his vehicle, which was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

LaTonya Genarann Pham-Wilson, 55, of Lufkin, was convicted of tampering with governmental records.

Between March 2022 and January 2023, the defendant intentionally and knowingly tampered with government records by manipulating official government forms to obtain a financial gain pertaining to legal business entities to which Pham-Wilson had no affiliation.

An Angelina County district judge sentenced Pham-Wilson to two years’ incarceration, which was suspended, and the defendant was placed on community supervision for five years.

Abel Fernandez Socarras, 35, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax and unlawful use of a criminal instrument.

An investigation revealed that the suspect’s vehicle was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of untaxed dyed diesel fuel with the intent to evade motor fuel tax.

Evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Upton County.

Orelvys Ravelo Rodriguez, 37, of Odessa, 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 motor fuel tax by failing to pay the backup tax liability on approximately 180 gallons of illegally appropriated 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.

Attempting to evade motor fuel tax is 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 Ward County.

Omar Sanchez Lavernia, 37, of Naples, 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 motor fuel tax by unlawfully appropriating motor fuel using a company credit/debit card without the company’s permission.

Evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax is 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 Winkler County.

Javier Toledo Jodar, 37, of Albuquerque, N.M., 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 motor fuel tax by unlawfully appropriating motor fuel using a company credit/debit card without the company’s permission.

Evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax is 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 Winkler County.

Yosvani Padron Rodriguez, 52, of Midland, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax is 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 appropriated approximately 135 gallons of dyed diesel fuel. The diesel fuel was pumped into a fuel supply tank in a truck bed. 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 Martin County.

Adrian Ramos Leiva, 38, of Midland, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

An Ector County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication, restitution and court costs.

In February 2024, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated fuel with stolen debit/credit card information, thereby failing to pay the tax as the seller or ultimate consumer of the motor fuel.

Yoel Concepcion Mejias, 50, of Midland, 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 unlawfully purchasing approximately 106 gallons of dyed diesel fuel without a permit. 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.

Evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax is 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.

Syrus Dawtcungnung Awi, 41, of Dallas, was arrested for allegedly failing to remit tax collected in an amount from $1,500 to $20,000.

An investigation revealed that the suspect, as owner of an auto dealership, failed to remit tax collected by intentionally and knowingly failing to pay the tax assessor-collector over $1,700 in motor vehicle sales tax.

Failing to remit tax collected in an amount from $1,500 to $20,000 is a state jail felony. The case is pending in Dallas County.

Eduviesel Ramirez-Guerra, 41, of Austin, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Travis County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication, a $1,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.

In August 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated fuel using cloned cards to illegally acquire approximately 132 gallons of diesel fuel worth about $622.

Gerardo Fernandez, 58, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly accepting delivery of a motor fuel by any means, blending products to evade motor fuel tax, and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Accepting delivery of a motor fuel by any means, blending products to evade motor fuel tax, and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax are all second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully accepted about 591 gallons of dyed diesel fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Luis Alberto Valdes Alfaro, 24, of Round Rock, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

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

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by failing to pay the backup tax on approximately 109 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel using a pulsar tampering device.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Sandor Said Mecias Delas, 41, of Pflugerville, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

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

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by failing to pay the backup tax liability on approximately 25 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel valued at about $125 using re-encoded credit/debit cards.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Roylan Villalon Guevera, 24, of Pflugerville, was indicted for allegedly accepting delivery of motor fuel without shipping documents.

Accepting delivery of motor fuel tax without shipping documents is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant accepted delivery of fuel into a 330-gallon tote tank in his garage, then delivered that fuel to two box trucks at a business without any shipping documents related to the delivery.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Arnaldo Frias Rodriguez, 40, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

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

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade motor fuel tax by failing to pay the backup tax liability on approximately 121 gallons of illegally appropriated diesel fuel valued at about $480 using a cloned, re-encoded card with stolen credit/debit information.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Tausif Tajddin Maknojia, 35, of Spring, was arrested for allegedly failing to pay taxes collected.

An investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally and knowingly failed to pay more than $73,000 in sales tax collected from September 2022 to January 2024 and tried to deposit a check that his bank determined to be fraudulent.

Maknojia is charged with failure to pay taxes collected in the amount of $20,000 or more but less than $100,000, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Mariel Perez Santos, 55, of Coral Gables, Fla., 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 motor fuel tax by operating a motor vehicle on the public roadway with untaxed red dyed diesel fuel. In the bed of the vehicle the suspect had a large auxiliary fuel tank that also contained 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.

Santos 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 Crane County.

Gilberto Cateura Dominguez, 35, of Kermit, 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 motor fuel tax by unlawfully appropriating approximately 200 gallons of red-dyed diesel fuel and delivering it into 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.

Dominguez 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 Ward County.

Jesse Rodriguez Rivera, 35, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax and engaging in a motor fuel transaction without a license.

Rivera 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, 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 up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 122 gallons of diesel fuel by using a pulsar manipulation device.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Bishal Rokaya, 27, of Alvarado, was indicted for alleged books and records violations.

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

An investigation found the defendant was selling several types of hookah tobacco products and was unable to produce invoices for the products.

The case is pending prosecution in Hood County.

Rayko Gomez-Valdez, 37, of Oklahoma City, Okla., was indicted for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax and unlawful use of a criminal instrument.

Gomez-Valdez 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, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly used a re-encoded debit/credit card to unlawfully appropriate and deliver approximately 255 gallons of diesel fuel worth $944 into a vehicle that had been specially adapted for use in stealing and illegally transporting motor fuel.

The case is pending prosecution in Ellis County.

Yoandy Carrillo Abril, 41, of Houston, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

Abril is charged with 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 intentionally and knowingly used a re-encoded debit/credit card to unlawfully appropriate and transport approximately 217 gallons of diesel fuel worth $803.

The case is pending prosecution in Ellis County.

Lahiyan Coste-Hernandez, 40, of Hialeah, Fla., pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax and unlawful use of a criminal instrument.

An Ellis County district judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years’ incarceration, suspended to 4 years’ probation on all charges.

In April 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade motor fuel tax by illegally obtaining approximately 123 gallons of diesel fuel using a criminal instrument: a box truck that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of motor fuel.

Tolupole Balogun, 40, of Royce City, pleaded guilty to violating the motor vehicle title services subchapter rule.

A Collin County district judge sentenced the defendant to 2 years’ deferred adjudication with community supervision and a fine of $500.

Between May and December 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly made a false entry in, or false alteration of applications for a Texas title, a governmental record and made, presented or used this record/records to the County Tax Assessor Collector, with knowledge of it being false and with intent that it be taken as a genuine governmental record.

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.