Defendants sold fuel to truck drivers
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the prosecution of six individuals operating an organized criminal enterprise that stole diesel fuel and gasoline from Florida businesses, farms and ranches.
According to a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the defendants spent late evenings traveling throughout Hillsborough and Manatee Counties searching for industrial fuel tanks. Once the defendants located the fuel tanks, one drilled the tank, while others used pumps to extract the diesel fuel. The defendants then sold the diesel fuel to commercial truck drivers lining up to purchase the stolen product.
Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution prosecuted the six individuals for violating Florida’s racketeer influenced corrupt organization laws, conspiracy to commit RICO, grand theft and burglary.
The following individuals, except for Vladimir Lauzardo who is not yet sentenced and faces up to 10 years prison, were convicted and sentenced:
· Rafael Luis Cruz, five years probation;
· Yuniel Benet Doval, 14 years in prison;
· Yosvani Alvarez Guzman, 10 years in prison;
· Yasmani Cruz Hernandez, 12 years in prison; and
· Yaima Suarez, 10 years probation.
