A Cuban national in the United States has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for leading a fuel theft ring across nine counties in Texas. Duniesky González, aged 37 and a resident of Dallas, was accused of orchestrating a scheme to steal massive amounts of diesel fuel from gas stations.
González and his accomplices manipulated fuel pumps using fraudulent credit card information, significantly lowering the price of the pumped fuel and stealing thousands of dollars. The criminal activities took place in 2022, and González was arrested on January 27, 2023.
The trial took place in April, during which González pleaded guilty, although he did not admit to his guilt, stating, "I am not guilty, but I just want to get this over with." Following the hearing, he submitted an open guilty plea.
After being convicted of participating in organized criminal activities, a judge sentenced him last Tuesday to 50 years in prison with the right to appeal. According to América TeVe, during the sentencing, the state prosecutor argued that a "life sentence is not unreasonable" and that there should be a "minimum of 50 years."
The defense argued that such a lengthy sentence would be justified if anyone had been physically harmed by the crimes, which was not the case. The prosecutor countered that financial loss can cause significant harm to individuals.
In addition to González, Ramón Pérez-Torres, 31, from Mesquite, Nevada, and Camila Cruz Concepción, 26, from Dallas, were also accused of being part of the criminal network. Both are currently in prison, and their trial is scheduled for July 23.
Details on the Fuel Theft Ring and Sentencing
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the fuel theft ring led by Duniesky González and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Who is Duniesky González?
Duniesky González is a 37-year-old Cuban national residing in Dallas, Texas, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison for leading a fuel theft ring.
What were the charges against González?
González was charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal diesel fuel by manipulating fuel pumps using fraudulent credit card information.
When were the criminal activities conducted?
The criminal activities took place in 2022, and González was arrested on January 27, 2023.
Who else was involved in the fuel theft ring?
Ramón Pérez-Torres, 31, from Mesquite, Nevada, and Camila Cruz Concepción, 26, from Dallas, were also accused of being part of the criminal network. Their trial is set for July 23.