Three men sentenced for organized diesel fuel thefts

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jose Luis Hernandez Verano, 48; Alfredo Quintana Marrero, 43; and Leonardo Valdes Cordero, 27, all of Orlando, were recently sentenced on racketeering and other charges stemming from a March 2022 arrest for stealing diesel fuel using counterfeit credit cards, card skimmers, and devices that alter the fuel dispensing pulsar that controls the flow of fuel from the fuel dispensing pump.

The three men were arrested on March 21, 2022, when Gainesville Police Officers assisted FDACS agents who were watching pickup trucks parked at diesel pumps at the Circle K at 1515 N. Main Street, where the men were pumping fuel. The trucks were modified with gasoline bladders, each holding about 300 gallons, to transport the stolen fuel. The three men were allegedly seen stealing 1,478 gallons of diesel in Hillsborough County and 1,328 gallons of diesel from Sumter County.

When agents inspected one of the diesel pumps the defendants were using, they allegedly found a pulsar device inside the pump. Agents reported that the bottom security panel had been removed so the device could be placed inside the pump. One truck, registered to Quintana-Marrero, allegedly had multiple 300-gallon gas bladders that were full. Multiple skimmers and gas pump keys were allegedly found in a sunglasses case in the cab of the truck.

Officers also found a third truck parked nearby that was also outfitted with multiple gas bladders and a hollowed-out rear seat used for storing gas. A notepad was reportedly found in this truck with seven pages (141 entries) documenting gas that was purchased and sold. This truck was insured in the name of Quintana-Marrero.

An FDACS agent reported that they had been following all three trucks during the day and that the defendants had “proceeded to complete the same scam” at a gas station in Silver Springs. The agent also reportedly had surveillance photos from gas stations in Hillsborough and Sumter Counties, in which the three defendants are seen with the same pickup trucks stealing gas on March 9 and March 11.

Hernandez-Verano was originally charged with racketeering, fraudulent use of a computer, and property damage over $1,000. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to racketeering and was sentenced to five years of probation and 100 hours of community service in March 2023 in exchange for agreeing to testify against his co-defendants. Restitution was left undecided in March, pending the other two cases; when the other two cases were resolved this week, Judge James Colaw did not order Hernandez-Verano to pay any restitution.

Quintana-Marrero was originally charged with racketeering, property damage over $1,000, obtaining fuel by fraud, three counts of possession of a skimming device, transporting dangerous material, and fraudulent use of a computer. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to racketeering and obtaining fuel by fraud and was sentenced to four years in state prison, followed by two years of probation.

Valdes-Correro was originally charged with racketeering, transporting dangerous material, and resisting an officer without violence. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to all three charges and was sentenced to 40 months in prison, followed by two years of probation.