Man sentenced for diesel thefts across Texas, 3 others at large

SMITH COUNTY, Texas ( KETK ) — A Mesquite man who was a part of a “sophisticated” organized criminal group accused of stealing 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Ramon Perez-Torres was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity on Tuesday. The criminal group is accused of using fraudulent credit card information and using pulser tampering devices on motor fuel dispensers.

“A pulser is part of the motor fuel metering system that counts fuel flow and determines the amount of fuel flow per penny. The criminal tampering device slows down the pulser, allowing suspects to pump hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel for pennies on the dollar,” the TDLR said.

The group is accused of stealing more than 10,000 gallons of fuel from gas stations in nine different counties across Texas. Authorities suspect a large number of people to be a part of the group and eight have been indicted.

Duniesky Gonzalez, the suspected ringleader, was sentenced to 50 years for engaging in organized criminal activity . His confinement began in June.

Camila Concepcion , 26 of Dallas, was found guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity in July and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

TDLR released the names of five people indicted in connection to the diesel theft:

Alexander Banguela Perez, 48 of Arlington, is charged with engaging in organized criminal activty and is being held at the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

Roaldis Alejo Cespedes, 42 of Irving, is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and is being held at the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

Yasel Valdivia, Yudayis Manzanet and Yoandri Lorenzo have active arrest warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity. They are believed to be at large and have fled the state, TDLR said.

The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center coordinated with 12 different law enforcement agencies in Texas that led to the convictions.

• 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

TDLR said the police departments, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office played an active role in the case that led to the convictions.

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