13 charged over stolen vehicles driven through El Paso into Mexico

Right · 2Thirteen people are facing federal charges in what authorities describe as a cross-border pipeline of stolen vehicles that allegedly supplied Mexican cartels with cars and trucks. 1 2 Right · 2According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, the vehicles were stolen from private owners and major rental car companies, then driven through El Paso, Texas, into Mexico, where they were allegedly used to support the cartels' daily operations. 1 2 Right · 2The investigation, dubbed Operation Southbound Takedown, has recovered 29 vehicles worth an estimated $1.14 million, prosecutors said. Photos they released showed a damaged white SUV recovered in Mexico, an armored black SUV and an armored pickup truck. 1 2

Right · 2Federal agents and prosecutors began investigating in the spring, after identifying a pattern of stolen vehicles going to individuals allegedly connected to criminal organizations in Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and other federal, state and local agencies took part through the Homeland Security Task Force. 1 2 Right · 2Of the 13 defendants, 11 are U.S. citizens and two are Mexican citizens, one with a lawful permanent resident card and the other with a border crossing card. Two Americans, Kimberly Aguilar and Marty Gerardo Jr., are in state custody; the other 11 were federally indicted and arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19. 1 2 Right · 2All 13 are charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted. The charges are allegations, and each person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. 1 2

Right · 2Ryan G. McRae, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, said the thefts were "not isolated property crimes" but showed a pattern used to support the day-to-day operations of dangerous criminal organizations. He said authorities worked with private-sector partners, the investigation spans the United States and Mexico, and "This work is ongoing; we’re not stopping here." 1 2 Right · 1U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons said cartels exploit people looking for a "quick buck" to fund operations including human smuggling, extortion, drug trafficking and murder. He warned that anyone transporting stolen vehicles into Mexico is "now on notice", noting that many of the cartels are designated as foreign terrorist organizations. FBI El Paso acting Special Agent in Charge Coult W. Markovsky added, "To individuals assisting the cartels, Justice will find you!" 2