Latest news with #MaxwellSterlingJensen
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Father, son indicted on charges of smuggling crude oil, supporting Mexican cartel
The Brief Two Utah men with ties to a South Texas company face federal charges for allegedly supporting the CJNG cartel, a designated terrorist group. They are accused of providing U.S. currency to the cartel and laundering money from illegally smuggled crude oil through their Rio Hondo business. If convicted, the men face up to 20 years in prison for the main charges; authorities also seek a $300 million judgment and have seized assets. TEXAS - Two family members with ties to South Texas face federal charges for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to a Mexican drug cartel designated as a foreign terrorist organization, along with money laundering and smuggling crude oil, federal authorities announced. A superseding indictment returned May 22 in the Southern District of Texas charges Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, of Draper, Utah, and James Lael Jensen, 68, of Sandy, Utah, with conspiring to provide U.S. currency to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The U.S. Secretary of State designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year. The indictment alleges the Jensen father-son duo operated Arroyo Terminals, a company based in Rio Hondo, Texas. They are accused of conspiring to conduct financial transactions to conceal proceeds from illegally smuggled crude oil and aiding the fraudulent entry of approximately 2,881 shipments of oil. What they're saying "This case underscores the more aggressive and innovative approach we are taking towards combatting the scourge of drug cartels," said U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas, emphasizing a focus on cartel enablers. "Cases like this highlight the often-dangerous relationships between alleged unscrupulous U.S. businesses and terrorist organizations," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. "Through strong collaborations and relentless investigative work, we and our partners exposed a possible large-scale operation that allegedly attempted to move millions in illicit crude oil and launder the proceeds. HSI remains committed to protecting our economy and holding offenders accountable." Dig deeper The investigation, dubbed "Operation Liquid Death," involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from other federal and state agencies. What's next Authorities have seized four tank barges with crude oil, tanker trucks, and other property. The government is also seeking a $300 million money judgment upon conviction. The charges of conspiracy to provide material support and conspiracy to commit money laundering each carry a potential prison term of up to 20 years. Additional smuggling charges carry potential sentences of five to 10 years. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Sturgis and Laura Garcia are prosecuting the case. The Source Information in this article is from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Two Utah men charged with supporting Mexican cartel designated as terrorist group
Two family members were charged with conspiring to support a Mexican cartel designated as a terrorist organization. Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, and James Lael Jensen, 68, both from Sandy, Utah, were charged with conspiring to materially support a Mexican cartel designated as a terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as related smuggling charges. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the pair allegedly provided material support to the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The men allegedly conspired to conceal and disguise the source of proceeds from illegally smuggled crude oil, in addition to aiding and abetting the fraudulent entry of 2,881 shipments of oil. The DOJ said they allegedly operated an enterprise in Rio Hondo, Texas, named Arroyo Terminals. When the men were arrested, authorities seized four tank barges that contained crude oil, as well as three commercial tanker trucks, one personal vehicle and an Arroyo Terminal pickup. Violent Mexican Drug Gang's High Ranking Members Sanctioned By Trump The Jalisco cartel was designated as a foreign terrorist organization on Feb. 20 by the State Department. Read On The Fox News App Prosecutors said they intend to seek a $300 million judgment if the men are convicted. If found guilty, the men could face over 20 years in prison. Bondi, Patel Announce Seizure Of Over $509M In Cocaine Linked To Cartels William Kimbell, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston, said their arrests came from an investigation initially looking into drug trafficking. "What began as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 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," Kimbell said. "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. The collaboration with federal law enforcement, prosecutors and state agencies proved critical to unraveling these alleged crimes and will continue until such operations are destroyed." Fox News Digital reached out to attorneys representing Maxwell Jensen and James Jensen for article source: Two Utah men charged with supporting Mexican cartel designated as terrorist group
Fox News
3 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Two Utah men charged with supporting Mexican cartel designated as terrorist group
Two family members were charged with conspiring to support a Mexican cartel designated as a terrorist organization. Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, and James Lael Jensen, 68, both from Sandy, Utah, were charged with conspiring to materially support a Mexican cartel designated as a terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as related smuggling charges. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the pair allegedly provided material support to the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The men allegedly conspired to conceal and disguise the source of proceeds from illegally smuggled crude oil, in addition to aiding and abetting the fraudulent entry of 2,881 shipments of oil. The DOJ said they allegedly operated an enterprise in Rio Hondo, Texas, named Arroyo Terminals. When the men were arrested, authorities seized four tank barges that contained crude oil, as well as three commercial tanker trucks, one personal vehicle and an Arroyo Terminal pickup. The Jalisco cartel was designated as a foreign terrorist organization on Feb. 20 by the State Department. Prosecutors said they intend to seek a $300 million judgment if the men are convicted. If found guilty, the men could face over 20 years in prison. William Kimbell, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston, said their arrests came from an investigation initially looking into drug trafficking. "What began as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 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," Kimbell said. "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. The collaboration with federal law enforcement, prosecutors and state agencies proved critical to unraveling these alleged crimes and will continue until such operations are destroyed." Fox News Digital reached out to attorneys representing Maxwell Jensen and James Jensen for comment.
