Three individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a vehicle identification number (VIN) flipping scheme that operated in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas.
Gustavo Adolfo Torres-Sadres, 38, of Honduras, and Julian Sanchez, 38, of Duncanville, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Paul Anthony Oliva Bejarano, 28, also of Honduras, pleaded guilty to conspiracy. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan: Torres-Sadres received 78 months in federal prison; Sanchez was sentenced to 21 months; and Bejarano received an 18-month sentence.
Court documents revealed that the defendants participated in a scheme where they stole vehicles and replaced their VINs with those from salvaged vehicles. The altered vehicles were then sold as if they had been legitimately rebuilt.
The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation into this case. Prosecution was led by Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
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