Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing diesel fuel with fraudulent cards

AUSTIN - Ramon Perez-Torres, 31, of Mesquite, has been sentenced to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after being convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity. Perez-Torres was part of an elaborate criminal group accused of stealing diesel fuel using fraudulent credit card information and tampering with fuel dispensers.

The group's method involved using tampering devices to slow down the pulser, a component that measures fuel flow and cost. This allowed them to pump hundreds of gallons of diesel for a fraction of the price. The investigation revealed that the group stole over 10,000 gallons of fuel from gas stations in nine Texas counties.

Authorities believe the group included numerous individuals, with eight – including Perez-Torres – indicted. Duniesky Gonzalez, the alleged ringleader, was convicted in June 2024 and sentenced to 50 years in TDCJ.

Two other group members are currently held in Smith County Jail awaiting trial, while three additional indicted members are thought to have fled Texas.

The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, working with 12 law enforcement agencies and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, led the investigation. The Smith County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance throughout the case.

The following agencies were involved in the investigation:

• Garland Police Department
• Crandall Police Department
• Kemp Police Department
• Canton Police Department
• Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office
• Mabank Police Department
• Lindale Police Department
• Palestine Police Department
• Anderson County Sheriff’s Office
• Northlake Police Department
• Smith County Sheriff’s Office
• Plano Police Department

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