Latest news with #Jensens
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah father and son duo charged for allegedly supporting Mexican drug cartel
SALT LAKE CITY () — A father and son duo out of Utah are facing federal charges after being accused of supporting a Mexican cartel that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization. James Lael Jensen, 68, of Sandy, and Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, of Draper, have been charged with conspiring to materially support the Mexican cartel, conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling charges, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Utah couple arrested for smuggling millions of dollars of crude oil, documents say Per the indictment, the Jensens allegedly conspired to provide financial support to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), a group that was in February. The Jensens allegedly operated Arroyo Terminals, a Rio Hondo-based enterprise, that reportedly helped 'conceal and disguise the nature and source of the proceeds of illegally smuggled goods' such as crude oil. Federal prosecutors further allege the father and son duo aided and abetted 2,881 shipments of oil in violation of the Tariff Act. At the time of their arrest, authorities reportedly seized four tank barges containing crude oil, three commercial tanker trucks, an Arroyo Terminal pickup truck and a personal vehicle. Authorities are also working on seeking forfeiture for the Arroyo Terminal property in Rio Hondo, crude oil contained in storage tanks owned by Arroyo Terminal and other real properties. 'What began as a Drug Enforcement Administration drug trafficking investigation evolved into a multifaceted case involving an alleged complex criminal operation generating millions of dollars from crude oil – the largest funding source for Mexican drug cartels,' said William Kimball, acting special agent in charge of DEA – Houston. 'Given the charges have profound implications for both the United States and Mexico, we will continue to explore all leads and identify any believed to be involved.' Nicholas Ganjei said the case underscores the more aggressive and innovative approach the Southern District of Texas is taking towards battling drug cartels. He said the strategy focuses not only on the traffickers and 'trigger-pullers' that are directly employed by cartels, but also their enablers. 'Whether you are handing the cartel a gun, providing a car or safehouse for smugglers, or putting money in the cartel's pocket, you will be held to account,' said Ganjei. Prosecutors said, if convicted, the charges of conspiracy to provide material support and money laundering both carry a possible prison term of up to 20 years. Both men could also face up to 10 years and five years for aiding and abetting the smuggling of goods into the United States and by doing so through false statements. James Jensen also faces one count of money laundering, which carries an additional 10 years in prison. The United States is also seeking a $300 million money judgment if the two are convicted. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. BLM to remove over 3,000 wild horses from Wyoming land Utah father and son duo charged for allegedly supporting Mexican drug cartel Stage 1 fire restrictions issued for multiple southwest Utah counties Fetterman claims media trying to 'smear' him over missed votes, absences Trump administration asks Supreme Court to lift judge's new block on mass layoffs Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Family business in Texas indicted in Mexican drug cartel oil scheme
A total of 2,881 of shipments Jensen's company received since May 2022 came from Mexican smugglers tied to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas. Experts have previously told USA TODAY that the CJNG organized crime group is perhaps the most militant in Mexico, turning regions into essentially warzones. The case against the Jensens comes as authorities under President Donald Trump aim to apply greater pressure to cartels smuggling drugs in the U.S. In February, the U.S. State Department designated CJNG, the Sinaloa Cartel and other crime groups as terrorist organizations. "This case underscores the more aggressive and innovative approach the Southern District of Texas is taking towards combating the scourge of drug cartels," said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. "This strategy focuses not just on the traffickers and trigger-pullers directly employed by the cartels, but also targeting their confederates and enablers." Most of the charges are against James and Maxwell Jensen, who face up to 20 years in prison for money laundering. They face up to 15 years collectively if convicted of aiding and abetting smuggling goods under false statements. Lawyers for the Jensens did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Oil smuggling is a multi-billion-dollar business for cartels, according to the Treasury Department. A Drug Enforcement Administration official called it "the largest funding source for Mexican drug cartels." American authorities' move to crack down on the Texas company handling smuggled oil comes as Mexican authorities say the practice has been a widespread issue for years with devastating effects south of the border. "The narrative is that everything bad is done in Mexico and the USA only suffers the drugs," Jesus Perez Caballero, a Mexican government researcher, told USA TODAY. "But it's impossible to do this kind of complex business without these links to support it." Mexican smugglers depend on American refiners, small-time oil producers and distributors to make money from the theft. "It's a good start to recognize that the USA is not a passive actor in this business," Caballero said. "It's as active as the Mexican one." What are the charges against the Jensens? The Jensens have operated Arroyo Terminals in Rio Hondo, Texas, since 2020, according to James Jensen's LinkedIn page. Terminals are crucial distribution points in the oil economy, storing oil as it moves between producers and refineries. Prosecutors allege that from May 2022 through April 2025, the Jensens' Texas terminals served as a key waypoint for smuggled oil from Mexico, according to the indictment. The family received a total of 2,881 shipments of stolen oil, court filings claim. The oil was shipped using fraudulent authentication papers and labels, including "waste of lube oils," the indictment alleges. The father faces up to 10 years for money laundering spending. According to the money, he used money from the smuggling operation to buy a 2024 GMC vehicle. Kelly and Zachary Jensen are charged with money laundering conspiracy. Kelly is also charged with money laundering spending conspiracy. Items they were ordered to forfeit, according to the indictment, included barges for ferrying oil, tractor trailers, the GMC vehicle, a Chevy Stingray registered to Kelly Jensen and a property in Utah where the family has roots. Ties between Mexican and American smugglers The family isn't the first in Texas to face charges related to smuggling cartel oil, according to experts. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a researcher at the University of Houston, said the practice has been going on for years at many small-time oil operations. Smugglers ferry the oil into the U.S. aboard boats or by crossing the border where the traffic is so high that border agents are unlikely to uncover it without significant increases in border crossings. A typical scheme brings the smuggled oil to "mom and pop" operations throughout Texas, according to Krishnamoorti. The oil is then added to their own supply and by the time it makes it to refineries, it can be hard to tell the difference. The total amount of smuggled oil is "literally a drop in the ocean," said Krishnamoorti. But "it's significant for the cartels in terms of being able to steal and sell." Americans involved can make as much as $5 million per barge of smuggled oil, according to the Treasury Department. The oil is then shipped to markets around the world, from Japan and India to Africa and even right back into Mexico. Deep seated problem in Mexico Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a researcher at George Mason University and author of a book on Los Zetas cartel, said issues of oil smuggling in Mexico are longstanding. Mexico's state oil company Pemex has a legacy of corruption scandals and oil smuggling is just one of charges against operators. The company dates back to the nationalization in 1938 of all private oil companies in the country. Correa-Cabrera said the scrutiny of American involvement is overdue. "Somebody has to refine this crude oil or gas condensate," she said, "and there's refineries in the U.S. that sell this massively back down south." She lauded U.S. authorities for going after Americans involved in order to help fight cartels. But she fears the organized crime groups will be blamed for a more deeply rooted problem. "The cartel participation is not as important as we imagine," Correa-Cabrera said. "It's not like stealing 18-wheelers, it involves knowing about the pipes, the surveillance of the pipes, really specialized knowledge." She said the smuggling operations likely depend on everyone from engineers at the pipelines to military officials responsible for watching the border. "The stories and the coverage has been directed toward cartels," she said. "But you cannot imagine this happening without all these other parts."
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
Texas oil operators indicted in drug cartel smuggling scheme
Texas oil operators indicted in drug cartel smuggling scheme Prosecutors say a family operating an oil terminal in Texas received 2,881 shipments of smuggled oil connected to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. Show Caption Hide Caption Mexico takes on American gun companies at Supreme Court Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism as Mexico attempted to hold American gun companies responsible for drug cartel violence. MEXICO CITY – An American family operating a Texas oil company near the border has been indicted by U.S. authorities for a years-long operation that smuggled thousands of shipments of oil stolen by drug cartels, federal prosecutors announced Friday. James L. Jensen, wife Kelly A. Jensen and sons James L. and Zachary G. Jensen have all been charged in connection with the scheme. James Jensen is the operator of Arroyo Terminals, a company based in Rio Hondo that receives and distributes shipments of crude oil. A total of 2,881 of shipments Jensen's company received since May 2022 came from Mexican smugglers tied to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas. Experts have previously told USA TODAY that the CJNG organized crime group is perhaps the most militant in Mexico, turning regions into essentially warzones. The case against the Jensens comes as authorities under President Donald Trump aim to apply greater pressure to cartels smuggling drugs in the U.S. In February, the U.S. State Department designated CJNG, the Sinaloa Cartel and other crime groups as terrorist organizations. 'This case underscores the more aggressive and innovative approach the Southern District of Texas is taking towards combating the scourge of drug cartels,' said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 'This strategy focuses not just on the traffickers and trigger-pullers directly employed by the cartels, but also targeting their confederates and enablers.' Most of the charges are against James and Maxwell Jensen, who face up to 20 years in prison for money laundering. They face up to 15 years collectively if convicted of aiding and abetting smuggling goods under false statements. Lawyers for the Jensens did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Oil smuggling is a multi-billion-dollar business for cartels, according to the Treasury Department. A Drug Enforcement Administration official called it 'the largest funding source for Mexican drug cartels.' American authorities' move to crack down on the Texas company handling smuggled oil comes as Mexican authorities say the practice has been a widespread issue for years with devastating effects south of the border. 'The narrative is that everything bad is done in Mexico and the USA only suffers the drugs,' Jesús Pérez Caballero, a Mexican government researcher, told USA TODAY. 'But it's impossible to do this kind of complex business without these links to support it.' Mexican smugglers depend on American refiners, small-time oil producers and distributors to make money from the theft. 'It's a good start to recognize that the USA is not a passive actor in this business,' Caballero, a Mexican government researcher, told USA TODAY. 'It's as active as the Mexican one.' What are the charges against the Jensens? The Jensens have operated Arroyo Terminals in Rio Hondo, Texas, since 2020, according to James Jensen's LinkedIn page. Terminals are crucial distribution points in the oil economy, storing oil as it moves between producers and refineries. Prosecutors allege that from May 2022 through April 2025, the Jensens' Texas terminals served as a key waypoint for smuggled oil from Mexico, according to the indictment. The family received a total of 2,881 shipments of stolen oil, court filings claim. The oil was shipped using fraudulent authentication papers and labels, including 'waste of lube oils,' the indictment alleges. The father faces up to 10 years for money laundering spending. According to the money, he used money from the smuggling operation to buy a 2024 GMC vehicle. Kelly and Zachary Jensen are charged with money laundering conspiracy. Kelly is also charged with money laundering spending conspiracy. Items they were ordered to forfeit, according to the indictment, included barges for ferrying oil, tractor trailers, the GMC vehicle, a Chevy Stingray registered to Kelly Jensen and a property in Utah where the family has roots. Ties between Mexican and American smugglers The family isn't the first in Texas to face charges related to smuggling cartel oil, according to experts. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a researcher at the University of Houston, said the practice has been going on for years at many small-time oil operations. Smugglers ferry the oil into the U.S. aboard boats or by crossing the border where the traffic is so high that border agents are unlikely to uncover it without significant increases in border crossings. A typical scheme brings the smuggled oil to 'mom and pop' operations throughout Texas, according to Krishnamoorti. The oil is then added to their own supply and by the time it makes it to refineries, it can be hard to tell the difference. The total amount of smuggled oil is 'literally a drop in the ocean,' said Krishnamoorti. But 'it's significant for the cartels in terms of being able to steal and sell.' Americans involved can make as much as $5 million per barge of smuggled oil, according to the Treasury Department. The oil is then shipped to markets around the world, from Japan and India to Africa and even right back into Mexico. Deep seated problem in Mexico Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a researcher at George Mason University and author of a book on Los Zetas cartel, said issues of oil smuggling in Mexico are longstanding. Mexico's state oil company Pemex has a legacy of corruption scandals and oil smuggling is just one of charges against operators. The company dates back to the nationalization in 1938 of all private oil companies in the country. Correa-Cabrera said the scrutiny of American involvement is overdue. 'Somebody has to refine this crude oil or gas condensate,' she said, 'and there's refineries in the U.S. that sell this massively back down south.' She lauded U.S. authorities for going after Americans involved in order to help fight cartels. But she fears the organized crime groups will be blamed for a more deeply rooted problem. 'The cartel participation is not as important as we imagine,' Correa-Cabrera said. 'It's not like stealing 18-wheelers, it involves knowing about the pipes, the surveillance of the pipes, really specialized knowledge.' She said the smuggling operations likely depend on everyone from engineers at the pipelines to military officials responsible for watching the border. 'The stories and the coverage has been directed toward cartels,' she said. 'But you cannot imagine this happening without all these other parts.'
New York Post
12-05-2025
- New York Post
Feds bash down door at lavish Utah mega-mansion, arrest oil magnate accused of working with cartels to import $300 million in illegal Mexican crude
A Utah oil magnate was arrested along with his wife in a dramatic raid on their opulent 27,000-square-foot mansion after allegedly smuggling more than $300 million worth of oil from Mexico to the US with the help of drug cartels, according to reports. James and Kelly Jensen were arrested on April 23 by US Marshals, who used battering rams to bust through the doors of the couple's $9.2 million mansion in outside Salt Lake City, KSLTV reported. 'They were unwilling to come out,' Assistant US Attorney Michael Hess said of the family, which has deep political ties — Kelly's father, Gordon Walker, worked in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Ronald Reagan, while her mother, Carlene Walker, was a Utah state Senator, according to KVEO. Advertisement 3 The Jensen's 33,000 square-foot mansion on a mountainside in Sandy, Utah, that the feds raided in late April KSL TV Just days earlier on April 17, the Jensens were indicted on charges they conspired to buy and smuggle more than 2,800 shipments of stolen oil from Mexico into the US as part of an alleged scheme that began three years ago, according to the feds. The Jensens' company made payments for the crude oil to 'businesses in Mexico that operate only through the permission of Mexican criminal organizations,' according to the feds. Advertisement The feds alleged the family used their ill-gotten gains to buy a new home and cars — and have moved to seize them. Their sons Zachary and Max, were also allegedly in on it and were also indicted, though it is unclear if they were arrested at the mountainside mansion with their parents. The family owns and operates Arroyo Terminals, a Texas company that buys and sells crude oil at a property just miles from the US border in Rio Hondo. Arroyo Terminals was raided by federal agents on the same day that the family was arrested, with employees being handcuffed and questioned about the business' practices. Advertisement 'We don't know about that,' one employee told CBS 4 News after the raid. 'We're just in charge of unloading the trucks and loading the barges.' 'When it comes to the aspect of knowing where this oil's coming from or what company or what part of Mexico or anything like that, we were always out of the loop,' another work told Border Report. 3 James Jensen and his family own an oil buying and selling company in south Texas Arroyo Terminals The Jensens were detained and taken to the Salt Lake City Jail, but despite prosecutors' fears of being a flight risk were back home within days after their attorney, John Huber, agued they had deep roots in the community and weren't going anywhere. Advertisement 'They're active in their church. They're active in their community. They come from a stalwart Utah family,' Huber said. '[James'] in-laws have served in public service for decades and they don't want to throw that all out of the window.' Huber also disputed the feds' claim that the family refused to come easily during the raid. 'Mr. Jensen and Mrs. Jensen's story about that is very different,' Huber said, claiming the couple agreed to come out but that the feds busted down their door anyway. 3 Federal agents say the Jensens didn't come out when they came knocking — so the mansion's door was battered down KSL TV The family business was previously accused by of buying stolen oil in 2011. In that case, James Jensen was sued by a Mexican government-owned oil company for allegedly travelling to Mexico to buy fuel from cartels. Jensen denied all wrongdoing and that case was dropped two years later. After their April arrest, the Jensens were ordered to forfeit all money they'd earned from the alleged scheme, along with new cars, a second home, their business, and bank accounts — all worth about $300 million, KSLTV reported. Advertisement Both sons pleaded not guilty. All were also charged with money laundering spending conspiracy, and aiding and abetting smuggling goods into the US. They face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah couple arrested at their 27,000 sq ft mansion for allegedly running $300M scam smuggling oil from Mexico
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.
