The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC), led by its North Texas Field Operations Team, has dismantled a sophisticated criminal enterprise accused of stealing diesel fuel and compromising payment card information at truck stops across North Texas.
The investigation began in April after the Garland Police Department sought assistance from the FCIC following multiple reports of stolen fuel and payment card fraud. Investigators determined that the group had installed payment card skimming devices on diesel fuel pumps at locations stretching as far east as Smith County.
Authorities allege the five-member organization used skimmers to capture card data and then re-encoded stolen information onto altered payment cards. The suspects reportedly used those cards to purchase large quantities of diesel fuel, which was pumped into hidden compartments built into vehicles.
According to investigators, the operation was responsible for stealing between 1,500 and 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel per night, operating five to six nights each week.
On June 12, law enforcement agencies executed three search warrants, including two locations in Irving and one in Arlington. The operation involved a broad coalition of local, state, and federal agencies, including the Garland, Irving, and Arlington police departments; the Smith County District Attorney's Office; the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Operations Group and Anti-Gang Group; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.
During the searches, investigators recovered 10 skimming devices, 50 altered payment cards, and a laptop equipped with a re-encoding device allegedly used to transfer stolen card information onto new cards. Officials estimate the operation prevented an additional $10 million in fraud losses that could have impacted Texas consumers and businesses.
Five foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with the case. Cuban nationals Jael Diaz Morejon and Adriana Castillo Oliveros were arrested in Arlington and are being held in the Tarrant County Jail. Cuban nationals Noel Pena Rodriguez and Carlos Virgilio Lopez Coba were arrested in Irving and are being held in the Dallas County Jail. Mexican national Betsy Santiesteban Lopez was arrested upon arriving from Mexico on June 15 and is also being held in the Dallas County Jail.
Two additional individuals found at the targeted residences were detained by immigration authorities for administrative matters.
All five suspects face charges of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a first-degree felony under Texas law. The Smith County District Attorney's Office in Tyler is expected to prosecute the case.
The FCIC, established by the Texas Legislature to coordinate complex financial crime investigations, highlighted the case as an example of collaborative law enforcement efforts aimed at combating large-scale fraud operations.
The investigation also comes amid heightened enforcement efforts against fuel skimming operations across Texas. Earlier this year, the FCIC announced the dismantling of another fuel skimming ring in Hewitt and reported that operation prevented an estimated $19 million in potential losses.
Recent legislative changes have expanded the state's authority to address electronic terminal skimming. Senate Bill 2371, approved by the 89th Texas Legislature, established reporting requirements and enforcement mechanisms related to skimming devices. The law created new criminal offenses and civil penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 per day for certain violations involving electronic terminal skimmers.
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