Case News

Dolores Gutierrez Herbert, 46, of Mission, was arrested for allegedly making false entries/failing to make entries or keep documents, and making false reports to the Comptroller’s office, all third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly failed to keep records related to total miles traveled and quantity of diesel fuel purchased and delivered into fuel supply tanks, failed to keep records of interstate transportation of diesel fuel and gasoline, and gave false information on Interstate Trucker Returns to the Comptroller’s office.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Osiel Caballero De La Cantera, 41, of Houston, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax and credit/debit card abuse.

A Waller County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication, a $1,000 fine, $640 in court costs and 100 hours of community service.

In May 2020, an investigation revealed the defendant used cloned cards to unlawfully purchase diesel fuel that was pumped into a modified tank mounted in the bed of a truck, along with a pump, a hose and a nozzle with a meter on it.

Asif Uddin Ahmad, 42, of Richmond, was arrested for allegedly failing to have an e-cigarette retailer permit or a tobacco retailer permit, both Class A misdemeanors.

An investigation revealed the suspect did not have the proper permits nor had he applied for the permits to sell the numerous e-cigarette and tobacco products he had in his store.

The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.

Sandor Said Mecias Delas, 41, of Austin, was arrested for allegedly transporting motor fuel without 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.

An investigation revealed the suspect illegally acquired approximately 106 gallons of diesel fuel using cloned credit and debit card information. Officers located a total of 411 cloned cards on the suspect and in the suspect’s vehicle. The vehicle was outfitted with an auxiliary tank, a fuel pump, hose, nozzle and digital fuel meter.

The case is pending prosecution in Williamson County.

Ali Abdullah Saeed Alkaifee, 24, of Hobbs, N.M., was arrested for allegedly selling prohibited e-cigarette products, a Class B misdemeanor.

An investigation revealed the suspect had an outstanding warrant for prohibited e-cigarette products but still had prohibited e-cigarette products displayed for sale on the store shelf. The product’s container was depicting various fruits, which is a direct violation of Texas Health and Safety codes.

The case is pending prosecution in Hockley County.

Jetquetta Glacken, 40, of Abilene, pleaded guilty to harassment.

A Taylor County district judge sentenced the defendant to 15 months of community supervision, a $500 fine and 20 hours of community service, along with successfully completing an anger management class.

In January 2024, an investigation revealed the defendant harassed Comptroller enforcement officers while they were conducting a seizure on a business the defendant owned.

Osvaldo Benitez-Alvarez, 37, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Bexar County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication, a $500 fine, $290 in court costs and $646 in restitution.

In November 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant used a homemade pulsar manipulation device to unlawfully purchase approximately 177 gallons of diesel fuel valued at $795, while only paying for approximately 26 gallons for $119.

Juan Villarreal, 58, of Midland, was arrested 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 revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by possessing approximately 125 gallons of dyed diesel fuel in his tractor trailer operating on the public roadway. 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 Upton County.

Lazaro Pablo Ortiz-Montero, 25, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Midland County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication, a $750 fine, $2,500 in restitution and $290 in court costs.

In May 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated dyed diesel fuel from a company storage tank into a large metal concealed tank in the bed of his 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.

Guy Pfitzner, 62, of Baytown, 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 acquired motor fuel from an individual stealing fuel from his company and delivering it to Mr. Pfitzner’s company more than 75 times in two years.

The case is pending prosecution in Chambers County.

Ronnie Pfitzner, 32, of Baytown, 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 acquired motor fuel from an individual stealing fuel from his company and delivering it to Mr. Pfitzner’s company more than 75 times in two years.

The case is pending prosecution in Chambers County.

Howard Schaeffer, 52, of La Porte, was indicted for allegedly transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

An investigation found the defendant had unlimited access to his company fuel tanks and intentionally stole diesel fuel from his company. The defendant then transported the illegally acquired diesel fuel without shipping documents and delivered it to another company.

The case is pending prosecution in Chambers County.

Tomas Enriquez Jr., 33, of Waxahachie, pleaded guilty to entering a false name, false information and forgery.

An Ellis County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication and a $750 fine.

In July 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant knowingly made a false entry on a vehicle title application and entered an incorrect sales price and seller information for cash.

Yunier Cruz, 32, of Pflugerville, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Bexar County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication, 100 hours of community service and $290 in court costs.

In October 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 186 gallons of diesel fuel valued at about $860 by using a homemade pulsar manipulation device, while only paying for 3.46 gallons of fuel valued at approximately $16.

Gerardo Fernandez, 59, of Houston, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Harris County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication, restitution of $13,000 and $270 in court costs.

In October 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully accepted delivery of about 600 gallons of dyed diesel fuel to his 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.

Osvaldo Soto Abraira, 28, of Austin, pleaded guilty to possessing a false or no cargo manifest.

A Travis County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication, a $1,000 fine and 200 hours of community service.

In October 2022, an investigation revealed the defendant intentionally and knowingly transported and delivered approximately 200 gallons of diesel fuel to a private residence without shipping documents.

Osmany Romero Peguero, 45, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to evading motor fuel tax.

A Glasscock County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication, a fine of $2,500 and $290 in court costs.

In July 2021, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated more than 40 gallons of diesel fuel valued at about $150 and about 20 gallons of unleaded gasoline valued at about $50 using fraudulent credit card information.

Jeremiah Augustus Lucio, 36, of San Antonio, was indicted for allegedly attempting to commit theft of property in the amount of at least $30,000 and less than $150,000, a third- degree felony lowered to a state jail felony.

An investigation found the defendant submitted a fraudulent unclaimed property claim with the intent to deceive Texas Comptroller employees to unlawfully obtain approximately $84,000.

The case is pending prosecution in Travis County.

Lester Manuel Felipe Lopez, 25, of Edinburg, was indicted 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, 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 fraudulently used a credit card without consent of the cardholder to unlawfully acquire approximately 140 gallons of diesel fuel worth about $500, then transported the fuel on public roadways without a license.

The case is pending prosecution in Hidalgo County.

Dmitry Yanishevsky, 49, of Murphy, pleaded guilty to a tobacco books and records violation.

A Collin County district judge sentenced the defendant to 5 years’ deferred adjudication, 60 hours of community service, and a $500 fine.

In June 2024, an investigation revealed the defendant failed to keep books and records for four years as required by statute for the tobacco products displayed for sale at his retail location.

Amin Chagani, 54, of Grapevine, was arrested for alleged prohibited e-cigarette products.

An investigation revealed that the suspect had over 1,100 prohibited e-cigarette products displayed for sale or advertised in his store. Each of these prohibited e-cigarette product container included an image of a celebrity or an image that resembles a food product, including candy or juice.

Chagani is charged with attempting to sell prohibited e-cigarette products, a Class B misdemeanor.

The case is pending prosecution in Hill County.

Humberto Diaz Vazquez, 41, 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 possessing approximately 600 gallons of dyed diesel fuel stored in several plastic totes, metal auxiliary fuel tanks and truck tractor supply tanks on his property. 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.

Vasquez 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.

Yasmani Rodriguez Bejerano, 36, 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 possessing approximately 600 gallons of dyed diesel fuel stored in several plastic totes, metal auxiliary fuel tanks and truck tractor supply tanks on his property. 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.

Bejerano 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.

Yasmany Caceres Canto, 37, of Austin, 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 acquired approximately 30 gallons of diesel fuel, worth approximately $99.00 using a stolen credit card without the owner’s consent. The defendant delivered the illegally acquired diesel fuel into an aftermarket auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of his truck.

The case is pending prosecution in Hays County.

Yadriel Tejeda-Toledo, 29, of Odessa, was arrested for allegedly evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

An investigation revealed that the suspect did intentionally and knowingly evade or attempt to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by unlawfully appropriating approximately 460 gallons of diesel fuel valued at approximately $1,500 by using a pulsar device to manipulate the pump.

Tejada-Toledo 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 Ector County.

Patrick James Garland, Jr., 39, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was arrested for allegedly failing to produce books and records, 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 and his co-defendants intentionally and knowingly committed a books and records violation after failing to keep and provide books and records for the 987 cartons of cigarettes, stolen from out of state, that were found in his possession.

The case is pending prosecution in Fort Stockton County.

James Soloman Blocker Jr., 37, of Fontana, Calif., was arrested for allegedly failing to produce books and records, 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 and his co-defendants intentionally and knowingly committed a books and records violation after failing to keep and provide books and records for the 987 cartons of cigarettes, stolen from out of state, that were found in his possession.

The case is pending prosecution in Fort Stockton County.

Lorenzo Lamar Taylor, 39, of Dallas, was arrested for allegedly failing to produce books and records, 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 and his co-defendants intentionally and knowingly committed a books and records violation after failing to keep and provide books and records for the 987 cartons of cigarettes, stolen from out of state, that were found in his possession.

The case is pending prosecution in Fort Stockton County.

Jovan Collins, 34, of San Bernardino, Calif., was arrested for allegedly failing to produce books and records, 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 and his co-defendants intentionally and knowingly committed a books and records violation after failing to keep and provide books and records for the 987 cartons of cigarettes, stolen from out of state, that were found in his possession.

The case is pending prosecution in Fort Stockton County.

Nemirah Davidson, 38, of Upland, Calif., was arrested for allegedly failing to produce books and records, 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 and his co-defendants intentionally and knowingly committed a books and records violation after failing to keep and provide books and records for the 987 cartons of cigarettes, stolen from out of state, that were found in his possession.

The case is pending prosecution in Fort Stockton County.

Patrocinio Tovar Hernandez, 58, of Granbury, pleaded guilty to accepting delivery of motor fuel without shipping documents.

A Hood County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication and a fine of $1,050.

In December 2024, an investigation revealed the defendant unlawfully appropriated approximately 400 gallons of dyed diesel fuel worth around $2,000 from an unknown male over a two-week period. 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.

Michelle Martinez, 26, of Houston, pleaded guilty to accepting an honorarium.

A Harris County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication, and she is placed as the state’s witness on the case after pleading guilty to a reduced charge.

In August 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant and her co-defendants were involved in a fraudulent even-trade bribery scheme. Martinez was paid to process title transactions containing false information and received about $10,000 during the course of the scheme.

Sola Ayiloge, 41, of Haltom City, pleaded guilty to tampering with a governmental record.

After a plea agreement, the defendant pled guilty to a lesser charge of attempted tampering with a governmental record, and a Tarrant County district judge sentenced the defendant to 12 months’ deferred adjudication.

In July 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant knowingly made a false entry in or false alteration of a Texas application for title/registration and a vehicle inventory tax statement.

Joshua Lewis Jinks, 34, of Panola, pleaded guilty to accepting delivery of motor fuel without shipping documents and evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax.

A Panola County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ deferred adjudication on each charge to run concurrently and a fine of $10,000 on each charge, of which $8,000 was probated on each fine.

In December 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant had been receiving deliveries of red-dyed diesel fuel from an unknown male and had not received any invoices or shipping documents for the 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.

Majdi Rafiq Salhab, 37, of Waco, pleaded guilty to attempted possession of tobacco products with tax due, and attempted books and records violation, both state jail felonies.

A McLennan County district judge sentenced the defendant to two years’ deferred adjudication on each charge and ordered the defendant to pay restitution of $175.

In August 2023, an investigation revealed the defendant purchased 144 boxes of untaxed tobacco products from an unlicensed out-of-state distributor. The defendant failed to keep books and records for four years as required by statute for the tobacco products displayed for sale at her retail location.

Israel Gonzalez, 43, of San Antonio, was indicted for allegedly failing to remit tax by dealer in the amount of at least $1,500 and less than $20,000, a state jail felony, and hindering secured creditors in an amount greater than/equal to at least $20,000 and less than $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 sold 20 vehicles and failed to transfer titles and registrations on those vehicles, thus failing to remit the motor vehicle tax he collected. In addition, he hindered the enforcement of a lien by removing the vehicles from his business, concealing the vehicles from Vehicle Acceptance Corporation and Backlot Cars, Inc., and failing to satisfy the debt by selling the vehicles.

The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.

Marco Antonio Hernandez-Martinez, 24, of Jarrell, 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 intentionally and knowingly evaded or attempted to evade a tax imposed on motor fuel by unlawfully appropriating approximately 104 gallons of diesel fuel worth $355 by using a pulsar tampering device to manipulate the pump.

The case is pending prosecution in Williamson County.

Tyler James Owens, 35, of San Antonio, was indicted for allegedly failing to remit tax by dealer in the amount of $1,500-$20,000 and fraudulent transfer of a motor vehicle, both state jail felonies.

An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly sold six vehicles through his car dealership; failed to pay the sales tax of more than $2,800; and arranged to transfer a vehicle, knowing it was subject to a lien, without first obtaining written authorization from the vehicle’s secured lienholder.

The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.

Olamide Akinwumi Komolafe, 46, of Arlington, 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 the application of Texas title and/or registration, which reflected a lower sales price than the bill of sale provided by the purchaser, and falsified the date of sales tax assignment and date of sale. There was a difference of $3,500 in the actual sales price and what was reported on the falsified form. The purchaser of the vehicle confirmed the signature on the falsified form was not his.

The case is pending prosecution in Dallas County.