A Sacramento man, Tou Sue Vang, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a $38 million catalytic converter theft ring. Vang, 33, was found to be transporting and selling thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines, as stated by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Vang, together with his brother and mother, purchased stolen converters from local thieves and sold them to a buyer in New Jersey. The rise in thefts of these parts is attributed to their high market value, with certain catalytic converters from California fetching over $1,000 each on the black market.
The case involves 12 defendants from New Jersey, with the family operating without a valid business license from private residences. Vang reportedly used the proceeds from these illegal activities to support a luxurious lifestyle, including the purchase of a multi-home complex and multiple luxury vehicles.
Beckwith emphasized that Vang led a criminal network that caused significant harm to numerous car owners. The investigation, carried out by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, underscores the collaboration of various law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime. Special Agent Linda T. Nguyen recognized the effective teamwork that contributed to this significant outcome.
This case is part of a broader initiative aimed at dismantling nationwide catalytic converter theft conspiracies and was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).
