A California man, James Blocker, has pled guilty to charges related to the interstate transportation of stolen property. Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Blocker admitted guilt on June 12, 2025. The charges include conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods and the actual transportation of these goods.
The indictment reveals that Blocker and others were involved in a scheme to transport cigarettes stolen during a burglary at the Imperial Trading Company in New Orleans on November 21, 2024. The group was caught in Fort Stockton, Texas the next day with the stolen items. They were also linked to similar burglaries in North Carolina and Texas earlier in February 2024.
For each count against him, Blocker faces up to ten years of imprisonment, fines reaching $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson acknowledged the investigative efforts by several law enforcement agencies including the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; Knightdale Police Department; Atlanta Police Department; Rockmart Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; and Fort Stockton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell is handling the prosecution.
