Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
TULSA, Okla. – A significant development occurred today as Navin Khanna, 31, from Holmdel, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court. He admitted to leading a national catalytic converter theft ring that generated over $600 million from the sale of stolen converters. This was announced by U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Khanna's plea included one count of Conspiracy and five counts of Engaging in Monetary Transactions involving property derived from unlawful activities. U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson commented on the impact of Khanna's actions: "Khanna’s theft ring took advantage of hard-working citizens in the Northern District of Oklahoma by stealing catalytic converters, rendering the vehicle unusable." He expressed gratitude towards law enforcement agencies for their efforts in resolving this case.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti explained the widespread nature of these crimes across the United States: “Across the United States thousands of people have had the catalytic converters cut off their parked cars because they contain valuable precious metals.” Thieves sold these parts to middlemen like Khanna and his associates who used specialized equipment to extract precious metals.
From May 2020 through October 2022, Khanna operated D.G. Auto Parts, a criminal enterprise involved in buying and selling auto parts nationwide. He conspired with others to transport large quantities of stolen catalytic converters from states including Oklahoma and Texas to New Jersey, ultimately reselling them for more than $600 million.
Khanna has agreed to forfeit substantial assets including over $3 million in cash, luxury vehicles, real estate interests, high-end jewelry, gold bars, and over 200 pallets of seized catalytic converters.
The Tulsa Police Department initiated an investigation into rising catalytic converter thefts in 2020 which uncovered this national criminal operation. Search warrants were executed across multiple states resulting in indictments against Khanna by federal grand juries in Oklahoma and California.
Several co-defendants have also pleaded guilty:
- Tyler James Curtis (Wagoner, OK) - Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
- Adam Sharkey (West Islip, NY) - Conspiracy
- Robert Gary Sharkey (Babylon, NY) - Misprision of a Felony
- Benjamin Robert Mansour (Bixby, OK) - Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
- Reiss Nicole Biby (Wagoner, OK) - Misprision of a Felony
- Martynas Macerauskas (Leila Lake, TX) - Conspiracy
- Kristina McKay Macerauskas (Leila Lake, TX) - Conspiracy
- Parker Star Weavel (Tahlequah, OK) - Receiving Stolen Property
- Shane Allen Minnick (Haskell ,OK )–Conspiracy
- Ryan David LaRue(Broken Bow ,OK )–Conspiracy
- Brian Pate Thomas(Choteau ,OK )–Conspiracy
-Michael Anthony Rhoden(Keifer ,OK )–Conspiracy
Khanna’s sentencing will be transferred to California where he faces further prosecution related charges.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations along with several local law enforcement agencies including IRS-Criminal Investigation Unit,Tulsa Police Department among others.The case is part Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces initiative aiming dismantle highest-level criminal organizations threatening US using intelligence-driven approach .
Assistant U.S Attorneys David Nasar & Reagan Reininger lead prosecution Northern District while Trial Attorney Cesar Rivera-Giraud assists Eastern District California alongside Veronica M.A Alegría .
For more information about OCDETF visit Justice.gov/OCDETF
