Trucking company owner arrested for key role in elaborate rebuild of stolen CMVs

The owner of a trucking company has been arrested for his key role in an elaborate scheme to rebuild stolen commercial vehicles.

54-year-old Leonel Diaz Pairol was arrested on September 8th near Tallahassee, Florida after officials determined his alleged key role in an elaborate scheme to rebuild stolen semi trucks through fraudulent rebuilds and paperwork. The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) began the investigation back in 2023.

According to Florida Voice News, Diaz Pairol is the owner of EZH Transport, a trucking company that OALE linked to four semi trucks with counterfeit VIN numbers and fraudulent paperwork. Diaz Pairol was linked to multiple fraudulent semi truck rebuilds, wherein fraudulent title applications, falsified repair records, and altered VINs were used to conceal the fact that the rigs were stolen.

Diaz Pairol is facing multiple felony charges, three counts of title fraud, three counts of possession of an altered VIN, three counts of obtaining title with fraudulent documents, and one count of dealing in stolen property.

“The theft of commercial trucks and trailers is not a victimless crime — it drives up the cost of goods and services for every Floridian,” said Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Thanks to the diligent work of our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, a major player in a sophisticated vehicle theft and fraud operation has been taken off the streets.”

“We will continue to aggressively investigate and disrupt criminal enterprises that target Florida’s businesses, consumers, and supply chains.”