Oilfield theft

A seven-month investigation by the Permian Basin Oilfield Theft Task Force came to a close Tuesday morning when law enforcement officials arrested 10 men in connection to the theft of about $2 million worth of oil and gas condensate from oil companies and producers in Midland, Ector and Andrews counties.

The task force, which includes officials from the three counties and the Midland office of the FBI, compiled enough evidence to charge six of the men on federal wire fraud, mail fraud and conspiracy charges for their alleged involvement with the crime ring over a prolonged period of time.

Four other men were arrested in Andrews County on state money laundering charges in connection the operation, which officials described as a loose partnership between a group of men including oilfield transport drivers who illegally used company trucks to steal, transport and sell company oil and gas to unsuspecting buyers who were unaware of the product's shady origin. 

Another arrest warrant has been issued for Benito Santiago Rodriguez of Seagraves for his reported involvement in the ring, Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson said. Rodriguez is wanted on charges of burglary of a business. 

"We're very pleased we were able to put a dent in this," FBI senior resident agent Matt Espenshade said.

Although authorities would not say how long the crime operation had been going on before they caught wind of it in December, they said they believe the men sold approximately $2 million worth of stolen oil and gas condensate before their arrest. 

In one month alone, Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said, the involved individuals stole about 8,000 barrels of oil from their companies.

"Now, that's a lot of oil," he said. "That's a lot of money."

After making arrests, task force officials said they seized property from the suspects, including a Lincoln Navigator, a Dodge Ram pickup and a house in Ector County.

Painter said officials learned about the ring from a "street cop" who had a hunch something was awry, and "it developed into a case and it grew from there."

If convicted, the six with federal charges could face up to 20 years in a federal penitentiary, Midland-based Assistant U.S. Attorney John Klassen said.

Tuesday's roundup is the latest bust by the task force, which was created in May 2008 primarily to combat the theft of drilling equipment but has since expanded to handle cases such as these.

Task force officials on Tuesday wanted to stress their presence to anybody involved in, or with knowledge of, illicit oilfield activities.

Leniency may be offered to those who come to officials with information, Painter said.

"We may be able to help somebody out," he said. "If we find out about it later, they will receive the full force of the law ... If they come forward, we'll do what we can. It's an open invitation." 

LIST OF SUSPECTS

Federal Charges

>> Robert Alvidrez (Andrews).

>> Daniel Martinez (Midland)

>> Aturo Mejia, Jr. (Andrews).

>> Carlos Montoya (Andrews).

>> Roberto Olivas (Odessa)

State Charges

>> Paul Bermea (Andrews).

>> Clarence Lovell (Andrews).

>> Cesar Lujan (Andrews)

>> Samuel Olivas (Odessa).

At Large

>> Benito Santiago Rodriguez (Seagraves)