U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg | U.S. Department of Justice
Luis Edel Trujillo Pena, a 29-year-old from Miami, has entered a guilty plea to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg in Jacksonville, Florida. Pena could face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud, up to five years for conspiracy, and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Restitution payments will also be required. A sentencing date is yet to be determined.
Court documents reveal that Pena and his associates installed skimming devices on gas pumps across Alabama, Louisiana, and Northern Florida. These devices captured credit and debit card information used by customers purchasing fuel. With the stolen data, counterfeit cards were created and distributed among the group to buy large quantities of diesel fuel.
The conspirators employed vehicles equipped with fuel bladder systems that allowed them to siphon diesel into these bladders instead of vehicle tanks. Investigations using purchase records, tracker data, surveillance footage from gas stations, and real-time monitoring revealed their operations spanned multiple locations in Northern Florida. After acquiring the fuel illegally, it was transferred into tanker trucks at a designated yard before being sold to a gas station linked to one of the conspirators.
In related proceedings, Deonelky Tabares Cid from Tampa has already pleaded guilty to similar charges including conspiracy and access device fraud; he awaits sentencing. Meanwhile, Deyvis Hernandez (Miami), Luis Ernesto Vigil Ochoa (Miami), and Isvaldo Guerra Perdomo (Jacksonville) are scheduled for trial in January 2025.
The investigation involved several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Florida Highway Patrol; Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office; U.S. General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General; and U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein is leading the prosecution.
An indictment serves as an official accusation but does not imply guilt until proven in court.
