This week, federal authorities announced charges against five individuals in connection with a multi-state fuel pump skimmer and diesel theft conspiracy.
On May 20, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that five Florida men have each been charged with conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, fifteen counts of access device fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
See the charged individuals below.
- Luis Edel Trujillo Pena (29, Miami)
- Deyvis Hernandez (37, Miami)
- Luis Ernesto Vigil Ochoa (32, Miami)
- Isvaldo Guerra Perdomo (38, Jacksonville)
- Deonelky Tabares Cid (36, Tampa)
Authorities say that the five men placed card skimmers on fuel pumps in northern Florida as well as in other states.
The men allegedly used data stolen from the card skimmers to create fraudulent debit or credit cards, which were used to purchase diesel fuel. The fraudulently purchased fuel was loaded into vehicles fitted with a bladder or container, then transferred to containers at a fuel yard. From there, authorities say that the stolen diesel was sold to a gas station associated with one of the co-conspirators.
If convicted, the five men face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years for each count of access device fraud, up to 5 years for the conspiracy count, a consecutive minimum mandatory penalty of 2 years for each aggravated identity theft count, and payment of restitution to the victims they defrauded.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, U.S. General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office.