Utah couple arrested at their 27,000 sq ft mansion for allegedly running $300M scam smuggling oil from Mexico

Yahoo

02-05-2025

James Lael and Kelly Anne Jensen's sprawling, $9-million mansion in Sandy, Utah is the kind of luxury home out of reach to the average American — but not to the long arm of the law.
As KSL-TV reports, U.S. Marshals arrested the couple at their 27,000-square-foot property in late April as part of a multi-state raid.
I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)
The same day, authorities raided James Jensen's company Arroyo Terminals in Rio Hondo, Texas, near the Mexican border.
The couple — along with sons Maxwell and Zachary — have been indicted for money laundering in the U.S. District Court of Southern Texas. They are accused of running a $300-million money-laundering scheme, allegedly smuggling crude oil from Mexico.
The federal indictment outlines a complex scheme dating back to May 2022. Here's what court documents suggest, along with a look at what criminal trade in crude oil costs Americans.
Court documents state that the Jensens brought 2,881 shipments of crude oil into the U.S. — falsely labeled as 'waste of lube oils' and 'petroleum distillates.'
The Jensens are accused of directing payments for the crude oil to Mexican businesses that operate 'through the permission of Mexican criminal organizations.'
Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Court documents allege that James Jensen was aware that the payments he made were going to Mexican criminal organizations.
The Jensens have a court order to forfeit the Arroyo Terminals business along with oil tankers, a second property in Draper, Utah, new cars and money in their bank accounts — assets that collectively total $300 million according to KSL-TV.
At the global level, criminal trade in crude oil is a massive operation.
The Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade estimates that criminal trade in crude oil is worth upwards of $11.9 billion annually, involving up to 227 million barrels of oil every year.
Windward AI, a U.K.-based company that helps organizations deal with maritime challenges, notes that oil smuggling causes supply-chain disruptions that lead to shortages and higher gas prices.
Port and border agents delay the delivery of legitimate oil shipments while they investigate potential cases of smuggled oil. Those delays are costly for legitimate oil suppliers, who may pass those costs on to consumers.
According to the Energy Information Administration, the cost of crude oil is the largest driver of the price you pay at the pump. Smuggled oil can impact the price of crude oil, making gas more expensive.
Aside from its impact on the price of gasoline, smuggled crude oil can compromise the quality of gasoline, which is a safety concern.
Another safety concern? Trade in smuggled oil supports criminal activity and can fund terrorist organizations internationally and here in the U.S. The Jensens, for example, allegedly engaged in activity that was said to support Mexican criminal organizations.
That's why shutting down such schemes is not only good for most people's pocketbooks, but for public safety.
Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it
Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead
There's a 60% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these essential money moves ASAP (most of which you can complete in just minutes)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.