Thirteen Charged in El Paso Stolen Vehicle Ring

Federal authorities in El Paso, Texas, indicted 13 individuals on Monday for moving stolen cars from the southwestern United States into Mexico. The group allegedly transported the vehicles through the El Paso corridor for distribution to criminal organizations in Mexico.

The case, designated Operation Southbound Takedown, began in the spring of 2026. Agents identified a pattern of stolen personal and rental vehicles being delivered to members of Mexican cartels. A Department of Justice release states that 29 vehicles, valued at nearly $1.14 million, have been recovered. Prosecutors claim the cars supported the daily operations of cartels, several of which are designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons of the Western District of Texas warned potential drivers about the risks of the work. “To anyone considering transporting stolen vehicles into Mexico: do not do it,” Simmons said. He noted that these organizations use the desire for a quick payment to expand operations that include human smuggling, extortion, drug trafficking, and murder. Simmons added that if defendants support these cartels by transporting stolen vehicles out of the country, prosecutors will find and prosecute them.

The 13 defendants include nine U.S. citizens, two Mexican citizens, and two others. Kimberly Aguilar, a U.S. citizen, was the first to be indicted on March 25 and remains in state custody. Marty Gerardo Jr., also a U.S. citizen, was indicted on July 22 and is currently in state custody. The other 11 defendants were charged and arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19.

Among the accused are David Monarrez, Cesar David Diaz, Sinuhe Baltizar Lopez, Christopher Rene Reyes, Angel Antonio Flores, Aaron Fernando Luna-Evans, Amy Foote, James Dewey Garrett, and Hilario Abraham Morales. Pablo Frias is a Mexican citizen and legal permanent resident. Pilar Bernabeth Mendez Rivas is a Mexican citizen who holds a border crossing card.

Each defendant faces a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted, they can receive up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal judge will determine the final sentence using the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Johnston and Andres Ortega are leading the prosecution.

The investigation remains active and spans both the United States and Mexico. Federal agents continue to work the case to identify additional participants in the vehicle transport network.