A 72-year-old man who led a multi-million-dollar catalytic converter theft operation in the Fresno area was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in federal prison.

George Thomas, formerly of Fresno and Clovis, was convicted of selling thousands of stolen catalytic converters and engaging in financial transactions to conceal the proceeds, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said.

“George Thomas fueled a black market for stolen catalytic converters that victimized hardworking people who were forced to either pay thousands of dollars to replace their converters or go without their vehicles,” Grant said. “Thomas thought that he could cover his tracks, lie to the jury, and get away with it. Not so. Today’s sentencing shows that there will be significant consequences for such behavior.”

According to court documents, Thomas operated from January 2021 through November 2022, purchasing stolen converters from recurring thieves in the Fresno area. He provided the thieves with instructions on which converters to steal, loaned them money for motel rooms, tools, and bail, and required them to continue stealing for him.

Thomas attempted to hide the criminal activity by photographing the thieves and their IDs, collecting vehicle identification numbers, and having the thieves sign documents claiming the converters were not stolen. Investigators said he continued his sales in the same locations and even sold stolen converters to undercover officers.

Stolen Converters Sold for More Than $2.7 Million

The stolen converters were sold to a metal recycling company in Oregon for more than $2.7 million. Thomas concealed the proceeds by withdrawing hundreds of cash payments under $10,000 from his bank accounts.

“This case was truly a team effort,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Catalytic converter theft was a pervasive problem in the greater Fresno area, largely because of George Thomas’s multi-million-dollar criminal scheme. Together, justice was served.”

Clovis Police Detective Cpl. Kedric Anderson said the arrest led to an immediate drop in thefts. “After Thomas’ arrest, we observed immediate results, leading to a significant reduction in catalytic converter thefts throughout our community,” he said.

Thomas was convicted March 27 after a four-day trial featuring more than 120 exhibits and testimony from over 15 witnesses.

Following his arrest in April 2023, reports of converter theft in the Fresno area fell by more than 90%.

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