Federal Complaint Filed Against Midland Men in Connection with an Oilfield Theft Scheme

In Midland this week, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint charging 36-year-old Juan Carlos Rodriguez and 30-year-old Jose Leonardo Rodriguez-Angeles for a scheme to steal oil in the Andrews County area and transport it to various disposal locations, including one in New Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis Quesada, El Paso Field Office.

The complaint charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy; one count of theft of an interstate shipment; and, one count of transportation of stolen property.  The complaint alleges that on May 28, 2020, the defendants stole over 500 barrels of oil from at least three production lease locations around Andrews and transported the stolen oil across state lines into New Mexico where it was disposed of at a location near Eunice, New Mexico. The complaint further alleges that on September 3, 2020, the defendants were responsible for stealing in excess of 100 additional barrels of oil from various production lease locations around Andrews and taking it to a disposal location in Odessa, TX.  During the early morning hours of September 4, 2020, state authorities stopped the defendants following their return to Andrews County and arrested them while attempting to steal oil again from a previous (May 28^th) victim company.

Both defendants remain in custody at this time.  Upon conviction, the defendants face up to ten years in federal prison each for theft of an interstate shipment and interstate transportation of stolen property; and, up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge.    

The FBI’s Permian Basin Oilfield Theft Task Force is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.