Florida gas prices

5 Members Of Multi-State Gas Pump Skimming Device And Fuel Theft Ring Arrested In Florida

Florida gas prices
Gasoline Pumps. Source: TFP

Five individuals in Florida have been charged with conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of access device fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

The following individuals have been charged in the indictment in connection with their participation in a multi-state gas pump skimming device conspiracy involving the theft of diesel fuel:

  • 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).

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If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years imprisonment for each count of access device fraud, up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy count, a consecutive minimum mandatory penalty of 2 years imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count, and payment of restitution to the victims they defrauded.   

According to court documents, the individuals worked together, and with others, to place skimmers on gas pumps in the north Florida area and other states.

Using the account numbers stolen by the skimmers, they made counterfeit credit and debit cards and then used them to purchase primarily diesel fuel.

Utilizing vehicles with a bladder/container to pump the fraudulently purchased diesel fuel into, the conspirators would offload the stolen fuel into containers at a fuel yard.

The stolen fuel was then sold to a gas station associated with one of the co-conspirators.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. General Services Administration—Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service—Jacksonville Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein will prosecute it.

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