Attorney General Uthmeier Vows Tough Penalties and Deportation for Alleged Criminals
Four individuals have been charged in connection with a multi-state crime ring responsible for stealing more than $400,000 worth of electronic control modules (ECMs) from Freightliner semi-trucks, Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced today.
The arrests are the culmination of a comprehensive investigation led by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s Organized Crime Task Force.
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The accused, Geosvany Figueredo-Gonzalez, Brian Sanchez-Perez, Orlando Martinez-Dorta, and Liovel Urra-Penate, allegedly carried out dozens of burglaries across Florida and Texas. Their thefts caused an estimated $372,000 in truck repairs and impacted 93 truck owners.
“We have made it clear that crime doesn’t pay in Florida, and if you’re an illegal alien, we will work with the Trump administration to remove you from our country,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. He commended the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their instrumental role in uncovering the extensive scheme. “Our Statewide Prosecutors will ensure the only thing coming for these criminal aliens is a strong prison sentence and a flight back to where they came from.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister echoed the sentiment, highlighting the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation.
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“This case is a strong example of what can be accomplished when local and state agencies work as one,” Sheriff Chronister stated. “The support from Attorney General James Uthmeier and our statewide prosecutors was not just helpful but essential. Without their partnership, the scope and success of this investigation simply would not have been possible. Together, we didn’t just gather intelligence, we acted on it and delivered justice.”
Evidence collected during the investigation linked the defendants to ECM theft cases in Hillsborough, Duval, Lee, and Polk Counties in Florida, as well as Travis and Williamson Counties in Texas. In total, the stolen ECMs were valued at $404,668.
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The Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged the defendants with violating the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), along with dozens of counts of burglary of a conveyance, with an enhancement for traveling across county lines.
The defendants are currently awaiting trial. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed detainers on three of the four defendants, and the agency will reexamine the fourth defendant’s permanent resident status upon conviction.
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