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Case News Archives
Case News
Breaking the state's laws is a losing proposition. Read about those who found that out the hard way.
January 2026
Jan. 21
William Hergemueller, 65, of Dayton, 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 of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect responded to the scene of an overturned 18-wheeler, as the Liberty County fire marshal, a position he no longer holds. While on scene, Hergemueller siphoned diesel fuel out of the 18-wheeler into his company truck, which was transported to his business. The suspect was not given permission to take the fuel, he did not return the fuel and he did not compensate the owner for the fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Liberty County.
Jan. 13
Duviel Alfonso Aguilar, 35, of Odessa, was convicted of evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An Ector County district judge sentenced the defendant to seven years’ probation on each count, over $3,500 in fines and court costs, and $926 in restitution. Sentences will run concurrently.
An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants illegally siphoned approximately 340 gallons of diesel fuel from the underground tank of a convenience store. The defendant delivered the fuel into a vehicle set up as a criminal instrument with tanks, hoses, pumps and batteries to transport the illegally acquired fuel.
Jan. 1
Omer Malik, 43, of Missouri City, was convicted of failing to pay taxes collected, a third-degree felony that was reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.
A Harris County district judge ordered Malik to remit $95,000 in restitution, which covered the delinquent sales and use taxes as well as penalties.
An investigation found the defendant underreported approximately $71,000 in sales and use tax collected from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2023, from his business.
Orlando Lazo Mendoza, 26, of Fort Worth, was indicted for allegedly transporting 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, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded motor fuel tax by siphoning fuel from the underground fuel tank. The suspect then transported the illegally acquired motor fuel without documents and used a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of stolen motor fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.
Pedro Julio Ruiz-Llanes, 34, of Burleson, was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect, along with two other suspects, used re-encoded gift cards with stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel. The suspect utilized vehicles modified for the purpose of acquiring, transporting and storing stolen motor fuel and offering it for sale.
The case is pending prosecution in Ellis County.
Carlos Javier Dixon Viel, 30, of Fort Worth, was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
A Tarrant County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ probation and a fine of $1000.
An investigation found the defendant and his co-defendants unlawfully obtained diesel fuel using stolen credit/debit card information and delivered the fuel into vehicles modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of stolen motor fuel.
Ernesto Vallin Frometa, 54, of Dallas, was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect, along with two other suspects, used re-encoded gift cards with stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel. The suspect utilized vehicles modified for the purpose of acquiring, transporting and storing stolen motor fuel and offering it for sale.
The case is pending prosecution in Ellis County.
Rayko Gomez-Valdez, 39, of Oklahoma City, Okla., was convicted of evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An Ellis County district judge sentenced the defendant to five years’ probation and a $500 fine.
An investigation found the defendant used re-encoded cards with stolen credit/debit card information to unlawfully appropriate and transport approximately 255 gallons of fuel worth more than $900.
Yazan Ahmad Hassan, 31, of Euless, was convicted of failing to have an e-cigarette permit and possession of a tobacco product without a permit posted, both Class A misdemeanors.
A Collin County district judge sentenced the defendant to nine months’ deferred adjudication, three days’ credit time served and a $200 fine.
An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly engaged in a tobacco transaction without a permit posted and received, possessed and sold e-cigarettes without a permit posted.
Ricardo Pittaluga Toledo, 38, of Austin, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect illegally obtained over 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel between Feb. 16 and 22, 2024, using stolen credit and debit card information and a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of stolen motor fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Ellis County.
Deryan Ja-Juan Burkley, 44, of Kennedale, was indicted for allegedly evading motor fuel tax and transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, both second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect illegally obtained diesel fuel using stolen credit and debit card information and delivered the fuel into a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of stolen motor fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Johnson County.
December 2025
Dec. 17
Miguel Cuellar Lopez, 59, of San Antonio, was indicted for allegedly signing a false statement/certificate, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, and failing to remit tax by dealer in an amount of $1,500 to $20,000, a state jail felony.
An investigation revealed the suspect knowingly failed to pay the motor vehicle sales on food trailers he sold sold for over $8,000 by falsely reporting lower sales figures. Additionally, he made a false entry on a signed Texas Department of Motor Vehicle application for title and registration.
The case is pending prosecution in Bexar County.
Dec. 15
Matthew Cantrell, 34, of Cleburne, was convicted of evading or attempting to evade motor fuel tax, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
A Johnson county district judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, probated to 5 years of community supervision, and imposed a $2,000 fine.
An investigation found the defendant unlawfully used a City of Valley Mills-issued credit or fuel card to acquire fuel for his personal vehicle multiple times, charging nearly $600 and evading the backup motor fuel tax imposed.
Tawni Ledbetter, 59, of Granbury, was convicted of tampering with a governmental record, a state jail felony.
A Montague County district judge placed the defendant on deferred adjudication, sentenced her to three years’ of community supervision and issued a $3,000 fine.
An investigation found the defendant placed a fraudulent date of birth on numerous state applications/government documents for decades.
Dec. 10
Manuel Peña Barrera, 37, of Piedras Negras, Mexico, was arrested for transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect was attempting to export over 900 gallons of diesel fuel to Mexico, for which he did not have shipping documents.
The case is pending prosecution in Maverick County.
Cesar Alejandro Cantu Fernandez, 53, of Santiago, Mexico, was arrested for transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect was the owner of the company whose trucks were attempting to transport nearly 700 gallons of diesel fuel to Mexico without shipping documents.
The case is pending prosecution in Maverick County.
Shalbi Mathew, 45, of Houston, was indicted for alleged books and records violations, 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 was unable to provide invoices for tobacco products he had for sale in his place of business and failed to keep books and records for four years as required
The case is pending prosecution in Harris County.
Victor Hugo Tejeda Rosales, 48, of Piedras Negras, Mexico, was arrested for transporting motor fuel without shipping documents, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect was attempting to export approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel to Mexico, for which he did not have shipping documents.
The case is pending prosecution in Maverick County.
Dec. 4
Miguel Roque Acosta, 41, of Tomball, was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect, along with three other suspects, used stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Bowie County.
Jonathan Rosales-Rodriguez, 20, of Houston, was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect, along with three other suspects, used stolen credit/debit card information to illegally acquire motor fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Bowie County.
Dec. 3
Gustavo Antonio Loredo-Berrones, 28, of Carrollton, was indicted for falsifying entries/failing to enter in tax records, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, and tampering with a governmental record, 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 engaged in sales and use tax transactions from his business and failed to enter records as required.
The case is pending prosecution in Somervell County.
Dec. 1
Bobby Antweon King, 50, of Fort Worth, was indicted for assault on a peace officer, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, and unlawful possession of a firearm, 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, with prior felony convictions, was in possession of a handgun during the commission of an offense, striking a police officer in the face with his fist and pushing another officer with his hands and body, causing injury.
The case is pending prosecution in Tarrant County.
Rafael Luis Castello, 61, of Odessa, was convicted of unlawful use of a criminal instrument.
A Denton County district judge sentenced the defendant to four years’ deferred adjudication, 180 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine.
An investigation found the defendant intentionally evaded tax imposed on motor fuel by illegally obtaining 150 gallons of diesel fuel using a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of fuel.
Yazan Ahmad Hassan, 31, of Carrollton, was convicted of attempted cigar and tobacco products tax violation.
A Dallas County district judge sentenced the defendant to three days’ incarceration, gave three days’ credit for time served, and issued a $4,000 fine.
An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly possessed tobacco products for sale on which tax in excess of $9,000 was due but could not provide invoices for the products in his possession.
Juan Zayas-Penalver, 37, of Addison, 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 unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect intentionally and knowingly evaded motor fuel tax by manipulating the fuel dispenser to illegally obtain over 200 gallons of diesel fuel.The defendant used a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of stolen motor fuel.
The case is pending prosecution in Denton County.
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, 30, of Dallas, was convicted of evading motor fuel tax.
An Ellis County district judge sentenced the defendant to three years’ deferred adjudication.
An investigation found the defendant intentionally and knowingly evaded motor fuel tax by illegally obtaining 200 gallons of diesel fuel and using a vehicle that was modified to receive, transport and dispense large quantities of stolen fuel.
November 2025
Nov. 21
Jessica Ayala, 58, , of Angleton, was indicted on four counts of allegedly tampering with a government record with intent to harm or defraud, all state jail felonies.
An investigation revealed the suspect knowingly made a false entry in, or false alteration of, four Texas Department of Motor Vehicle applications for title and registration. She also used false dates on the corresponding Texas Certificate of Titles.
The case is pending prosecution in Brazoria County.
Nov. 1
Luis Milo Lezcano, 30, of Houston, 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, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
An investigation revealed the suspect illegally acquired about 300 gallons of diesel fuel using stolen credit card information. The illegally acquired diesel fuel was dispensed into modified auxiliary fuel tanks mounted to the suspect’s vehicle.
The case is pending prosecution in Colorado County.
Mohamad Fanous, 34, of Garland, was convicted of possessing tobacco with tax due, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
A Dallas County district judge ordered the defendant to pay $500,000 in restitution and placed the defendant on ten years’ of deferred adjudication community supervision.
An investigation found the defendant failed to keep invoices of tobacco products sold. He also acted as a tobacco distributor without a valid permit and possessed tobacco with tax due by purchasing tobacco products from an unauthorized out-of-state distributor.
Chase Logan Pierre, 29, of Brookshire, 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 revealed the suspect illegally acquired approximately 970 gallons of red-dyed diesel fuel from a construction 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 Fort Bend County.
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