Overview
- Federal prosecutors in Lubbock announced the 14‑person indictment Wednesday in a case accusing a cross‑border crude‑oil theft ring.
- The indictment says conspirators siphoned oil in eastern New Mexico, stored some on U.S.‑leased land, hauled it into Texas, and sold it below the West Texas Intermediate benchmark.
- All 14 are charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines, which carries up to five years in prison if convicted.
- Several defendants also face counts for interstate transportation, receipt, possession, or sale of stolen property, with penalties of up to 10 years per count.
- Investigators from the Bureau of Land Management, the FBI, Texas DPS CID, and the Lea and Eddy county sheriffs led the probe, reflecting concern in the nation’s top oil region where WTI prices guide much U.S. crude.