Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Sacramento Brothers, Mom Plead Guilty in $600 Million Catalytic Converter Theft Scheme
By admin
Published 2 years ago on
October 17, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SACRAMENTO — Three members of a California family pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy for their role in a ring that shipped $600 million worth of stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, federal prosecutors said.

Brothers Tou Sue Vang, 32, and Andrew Vang, 28, along with their mother, Monica Moua, 58, were part of “a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors” who provided the stolen auto anti-smog devices to a metal refinery for more than $600 million, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.

Twenty-one people from California and New Jersey have been charged in the case, prosecutors said. The three Sacramento family members pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the devices in return for more than $38 million.

Tou Sue Vang also pleaded guilty to 39 charges related to money laundering, prosecutors said.

Catalytic converters are easily stolen and contain precious metals including platinum.

“Some of these precious metals are more valuable per ounce than gold, and their value has been increasing in recent years,” the U.S. attorney’s office said. “The black-market price for catalytic converters can be above $1,000 each.”

California accounts for 37% of catalytic converter theft claims nationwide, with about 1,600 reported stolen each month, federal prosecutors said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

DON'T MISS

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

DON'T MISS

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

DON'T MISS

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

DON'T MISS

Biden’s IRS Doubled Audits on the Wealthy, Data Shows

DON'T MISS

Millions Would Lose Their Obamacare Coverage Under Trump’s Bill

DON'T MISS

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

DON'T MISS

Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charity Exempt From State Unemployment Taxes

DON'T MISS

Alonso Muscles Up With 2 HRs, 5 RBIs as Mets Belt Dodgers

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Fermin Solorzano

UP NEXT

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Fermin Solorzano

UP NEXT

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

UP NEXT

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

UP NEXT

It’s Expensive to Become a Teacher in California. This Bill Would Pay Those Who Try

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Deanna Michelle Whitworth

UP NEXT

2 More Attacks on Jews Heighten Concerns About Security in and Around US Synagogues

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested in Connection With Deadly California Fertility Clinic Bombing

UP NEXT

US Sees No Viable Path for California High-Speed Rail Project, May Rescind $4 Billion

UP NEXT

US Judge Dismisses California’s Tariff Lawsuit, Teeing up Appeal

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

2 hours ago

Biden’s IRS Doubled Audits on the Wealthy, Data Shows

3 hours ago

Millions Would Lose Their Obamacare Coverage Under Trump’s Bill

3 hours ago

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

3 hours ago

Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charity Exempt From State Unemployment Taxes

3 hours ago

Alonso Muscles Up With 2 HRs, 5 RBIs as Mets Belt Dodgers

4 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Fermin Solorzano

4 hours ago

Supreme Court Rejects Mexico’s $10B Gun Lawsuit Against American Gun Manufacturers

4 hours ago

Trump Says After Xi Call That US and China Will Resume Trade Talks

4 hours ago

Procter & Gamble Slashes Workforce as Tariffs Drive Up Costs

4 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr chose retirement over collecting a paycheck while dealing with a serious shoulder injury, c...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

1 hour ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

2 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

2 hours ago

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

3 hours ago

Biden’s IRS Doubled Audits on the Wealthy, Data Shows

3 hours ago

Millions Would Lose Their Obamacare Coverage Under Trump’s Bill

3 hours ago

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

3 hours ago

Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charity Exempt From State Unemployment Taxes

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend