Fourteen indicted for conspiracy to transport crude oil stolen from Permian Basin in interstate commerce
Authorities announced charges against fourteen people from Texas and New Mexico for taking part in a large-scale oil theft conspiracy in the Permian Basin.
On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas announced that the following individuals were charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce.
Texas defendants:
- Randell Wayne Reid, 41, of Electra, Texas, owner of Reidco Enterprises, a Texas-based company
- James Darrell Reid, 65, of Electra, owner of Reidco Enterprises
- Christopher Frederick Harris, 22, of Seminole, Texas.
Lovington, New Mexico defendants:
- Louis George Edgett, 68
- Brenden Floyd Strickland, 25
- Sixto Herrera-Estebane, 43
- Gyardo Gonzalez, 47
- Jesus Martin Hernandez-Borja, 51
- Diana Marquez Rojo, 45
- Jose Luis Rojo, 49
- Jose Mario Rivas-Mendoza, 37
- Miguel A. Soto, 41
- Tavares Montrail Cole, 48
- Danny Dale Brown Jr., 42
Several of the defendants were additionally charged with interstate transportation of stolen property, and receipt, possession, or sale of stolen property.
Officials say that all fourteen defendants “conspired to transport stolen crude oil across the New Mexico-Texas border for the purpose of enriching themselves.”
Several defendants are accused of stealing crude oil from producers in the Eastern New Mexico region of the Permian Basin.
Some of the stolen oil was stored on land leased from the U.S. government, authorities said.
The stolen oil was allegedly sold to other defendants “at prices significantly below West Texas Intermediate pricing,” which is used to price crude oil in the Permian Basin and much of the United States.
The indictment also alleges that the defendants transported the oil across the New Mexico-Texas border for further sale at a profit, even though they were aware that it was stolen.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to ten years in federal prison on each count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and receipt, possession, or sale of stolen property.
Investigating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigation Division, the Lea County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office, and the Eddy County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office.