A federal grand jury in Des Moines has indicted multiple individuals on charges connected to a scheme involving the theft and resale of used restaurant cooking oil. The indictment, returned on December 9, 2025, includes allegations of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering.
According to the indictment, the defendants stole used cooking oil from collection tanks at restaurants across several states including Iowa, Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky. Used cooking oil can be refined into biodiesel fuel and sold for profit. The stolen oil was transported to warehouses located in Nevada; Ankeny, Iowa; Lewisburg, Tennessee; Dora, Alabama; and Tipp City, Ohio. Afterward, the defendants allegedly sold the oil and laundered the proceeds.
The individuals charged are:
- Tianzhu Chen (33), Flushing, New York: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; two counts of money laundering.
- Jingliu Chen (55), Flushing, New York: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
- Yong Chen (32), Brooklyn, New York: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
- Xian Quan Guo (48), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
- Jianfa Huang (40), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; interstate transportation of stolen property.
- Fukang Wang (37), Staten Island, New York: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
- Futao Wang (36), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; interstate transportation of stolen property.
- Jie Wang (30), Dayton, Ohio: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
- Xiangjing Wang (34), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
- Danrong Zhang (38), Flushing, New York: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; money laundering.
- Changxu Zou (41), Tulia, Texas: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
- Changyu Zou (38), Edmond, Oklahoma: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
- Wenrong Zou (32), Edmond, Oklahoma: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
Federal search warrants and arrest warrants were executed in several states including Iowa, Ohio, New York, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas as part of this case.
Xian Quan Guo, Jianfa Huang, Futao Wang and Xiangjing Wang appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Iowa. Their trial is scheduled for February 2, 2026. The remaining defendants will have their initial court appearances at later dates.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman for the Southern District of Iowa announced the charges. The investigation is being conducted by the Central Iowa Gang Task Force with support from various law enforcement agencies across multiple states as well as federal agencies such as the FBI and Environmental Protection Agency.
"An indictment is merely an allegation," said prosecutors. "All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
