Federal authorities have charged five men in connection with a scheme to steal and resell crude oil from pipelines in New Mexico and West Texas. According to court documents, Special Agents with the Bureau of Land Management began investigating in June 2025 after receiving information about the alleged thefts.
The men—Maxwell Jensen, Thomas Rees, Christopher Ortega, German Ortiz-Santillano, and Christian Jesus Contreras Varela—are accused of stealing crude oil from Plains All American Pipeline facilities in New Mexico. The oil was allegedly stored at a yard in Carlsbad before being transported into West Texas for resale. Surveillance operations, tracking devices, and recorded conversations documented more than 20 theft runs over about four weeks. Authorities say hundreds of barrels were siphoned each day, with each load valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
Prosecutors allege that Rees managed the Carlsbad yard through his company Hound Dog Energy, where he received and sold stolen oil while creating fraudulent load tickets to conceal the thefts. Ortega is accused of directing truck drivers, preparing false documentation, and recruiting others to join the conspiracy. Ortiz-Santillano allegedly used his position as an employee of Plains All American Pipeline to provide access to pigging stations for the thefts. Contreras Varela is said to have operated a vacuum truck to steal oil from the pipeline before returning it to Rees’s yard. Jensen is identified as coordinating the operation as its leader.
All five defendants are charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and aiding and abetting. Contreras Varela also faces a firearms-related charge for being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Both Jensen and Contreras Varela will remain in custody pending trial; no trial date has been set.
If convicted on current charges, Jensen, Rees, Ortega, and Ortiz-Santillano could face up to 10 years in prison each. Contreras Varela could face up to 15 years if convicted.
"U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Josiah Andrews of the Bureau of Land Management made the announcement today."
Special Agents with the Bureau of Land Management investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson Hehr is prosecuting.
Authorities emphasized that criminal complaints are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
