Cargo Theft Ring Prosecutions
1. United States v. Ricardo Jones et al. (2011, New Jersey)
Facts: Jones led a cargo theft ring targeting trucks carrying electronics and consumer goods. Stolen shipments were resold to fence operations.
Legal Issue: Interstate transportation of stolen property, conspiracy, and organized theft.
Prosecution: FBI and state authorities conducted surveillance, monitored truck routes, and coordinated with trucking companies. Wiretap evidence and recovered stolen goods were critical.
Outcome: Jones received 10 years in federal prison, and co-conspirators received sentences ranging from 4 to 8 years. Restitution exceeded $2.5 million.
2. United States v. Kevin T. Blackwell (2013, Georgia)
Facts: Blackwell orchestrated a ring stealing high-value pharmaceuticals from trucks in transit to hospitals and pharmacies.
Legal Issue: Interstate transportation of stolen goods, conspiracy, and wire fraud.
Prosecution: Investigators used GPS tracking of trucks, monitored online resale platforms, and interviewed victims.
Outcome: Blackwell was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $3.8 million in restitution.
3. United States v. Joseph Carter (2015, Texas)
Facts: Carter and accomplices stole cargo from logistics hubs, including clothing and electronics, coordinating thefts via encrypted messaging apps.
Legal Issue: Conspiracy to commit cargo theft, interstate transportation of stolen property, and mail/wire fraud.
Prosecution: Surveillance, intercepted communications, and recovery of stolen goods linked to Carter’s network were key.
Outcome: Carter was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison, and accomplices received 3–6 years. Restitution totaled $1.9 million.
4. United States v. Anthony Williams (2016, California)
Facts: Williams ran a cargo theft ring targeting high-end electronics from Amazon and FedEx trucks.
Legal Issue: Interstate transportation of stolen property, conspiracy, and organized theft.
Prosecution: Undercover operations and tracking devices placed in shipments revealed the theft patterns. Authorities also recovered resold goods from pawn shops.
Outcome: Williams received 9 years in federal prison and restitution of $2.2 million.
5. United States v. Ricardo Santiago (2017, Florida)
Facts: Santiago coordinated thefts of shipping containers carrying food products and consumer goods at port facilities.
Legal Issue: Cargo theft, conspiracy, interstate transport of stolen property.
Prosecution: Evidence included port security footage, GPS tracking of stolen containers, and intercepted communications among ring members.
Outcome: Santiago was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $4 million in restitution.
6. United States v. Miguel Ramirez (2018, New York)
Facts: Ramirez’s ring stole electronics, pharmaceuticals, and designer clothing from trucks along the I-95 corridor.
Legal Issue: Conspiracy, interstate transportation of stolen property, wire fraud, and organized theft.
Prosecution: Law enforcement used undercover buyers and GPS tracking to recover stolen goods and link them to Ramirez’s operation.
Outcome: Ramirez was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, with co-conspirators receiving 5–8 years. Restitution exceeded $3.5 million.
7. United States v. Jonathan Morales (2019, Illinois)
Facts: Morales led a cargo theft ring targeting UPS and FedEx trucks carrying electronics and high-value merchandise.
Legal Issue: Interstate transport of stolen property, conspiracy, and organized theft.
Prosecution: Authorities intercepted communications, monitored delivery routes, and recovered stolen goods from warehouses.
Outcome: Morales was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, and restitution exceeded $4.2 million.
Key Takeaways from Cargo Theft Ring Prosecutions
Federal Legal Basis: Most prosecutions rely on 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (interstate transportation of stolen property), conspiracy statutes, and organized theft laws.
Common Targets: Electronics, pharmaceuticals, clothing, and consumer goods are frequently stolen.
Evidence Collection: GPS tracking, surveillance footage, intercepted communications, undercover operations, and recovered stolen goods are critical.
Sentences: Typical prison terms range from 8–12 years, depending on theft value and sophistication of the ring.
Restitution: Courts usually order multi-million-dollar restitution to compensate businesses for stolen merchandise.
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