Attorney General James Uthmeier announces arrests in a large criminal alien theft ring while also issuing a subpoena to an employer and sending legal demands to California and Washington

Tampa, Florida – In a sweeping law enforcement announcement that stretched from the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in diesel fuel to the fallout of a deadly truck crash, Attorney General James Uthmeier stood alongside Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to outline the results of what officials are calling Operation Van Diesel.

The investigation unraveled a criminal enterprise that authorities say operated across at least a dozen Florida counties. The group, made up largely of individuals in the country illegally, is accused of siphoning fuel from underground storage tanks at gas stations, then transporting the stolen diesel in vans specially outfitted to hold massive quantities. According to investigators, each van could carry up to 500 gallons of fuel, and the defendants moved with precision across county lines in search of their targets.

“Joe Biden opened our borders, sanctuary states offered incentives for illegal immigration, and they put Americans at risk,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “The majority of this group of criminal aliens were let into the country under the Biden administration, and the effects are widespread. Accountability is coming for these sanctuary policies putting Floridians at risk, which is why I also issued a criminal subpoena to the employer of the illegal alien truck driver who killed three in St Lucie County and sent a list of legal demands to Washington and California.”

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Sheriff Chronister echoed the concerns, stressing the impact on both public safety and local businesses. “Fuel theft of this magnitude puts drivers at risk, undermines the integrity of our fuel supply, and robs businesses in our communities,” he said. “To those who think organized crime can go undetected, let this case be a reminder: we are watching, we are working together, and we will hold you accountable.”

The scope of the operation was vast. Investigators estimate that the theft ring made at least $400,000, though they believe the actual total is likely far higher. Ten suspects have been arrested so far. Seven are identified as illegal aliens—six of whom were paroled into the country by the federal government, and one labeled a “gotaway” whose entry circumstances remain unknown. Three others are legal permanent residents whose green cards have been flagged for possible revocation if convictions occur.

Charges filed include racketeering and conspiracy, with four defendants also facing money laundering charges tied to more than $100,000 in illicit profits. If convicted on all counts, some could face sentences of up to 90 years in prison. The case has been assigned to the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, and authorities stressed that further arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.

But Uthmeier’s announcement went beyond the fuel theft case. He also unveiled a separate legal move stemming from a fatal semi-truck crash in St. Lucie County last month. On August 12, 2025, investigators say Harjinder Singh, a commercial truck driver in the United States illegally, attempted an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce. His trailer jackknifed across the northbound lanes, blocking traffic and setting off a devastating collision with a minivan. All three occupants of the minivan were killed instantly.

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Singh, employed by White Hawk Carriers of Ceres, California, now faces three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of manslaughter. He was extradited to Florida, booked into the St. Lucie County Jail, denied bond, and faces up to 90 years in prison before possible deportation proceedings.

In response, Uthmeier issued a criminal subpoena to Singh’s employer, White Hawk Carriers, demanding accountability for hiring practices and oversight. He also directed formal legal demands to California and Washington, citing their roles in issuing Singh’s commercial driver’s license.

The twin announcements reflect what the Attorney General framed as a broader campaign against policies in other states that he argues place Floridians at risk. The theft ring exposed vulnerabilities in fuel distribution networks, while the truck crash highlighted the dangers of what Uthmeier described as sanctuary-style practices in licensing and employment.

As Operation Van Diesel continues to unfold, the state’s prosecutors are preparing to present their cases in court. For the families affected by the fatal crash and the businesses hit by large-scale fuel theft, the coming months promise to bring accountability, but also a spotlight on the larger national debates over immigration, enforcement, and public safety.