Tou Sue Vang, 33, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale catalytic converter theft operation that spanned multiple states and resulted in $38 million in illicit profits. Vang, along with his family members, purchased stolen catalytic converters from thieves and sold them to buyers in New Jersey, primarily through the operation of unlicensed businesses from private homes and storage units.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged across the U.S. due to the high value of the precious metals inside, such as platinum and palladium. Stolen converters, particularly from models like the Toyota Prius, can fetch upwards of $1,000 each on the black market. Vang and his family orchestrated the shipment of thousands of stolen converters, including some shipments weighing over 1,000 pounds, to a buyer in New Jersey—DG Auto, operated by the Khanna brothers.
As a result of the criminal activities, Vang amassed significant wealth, purchasing a multi-million-dollar property and luxury vehicles, including two Teslas and four personal watercraft. The U.S. government seized over $150,000 in cash, 13 vehicles, multiple pieces of jewelry, and real estate from Vang as part of his sentencing.
“This defendant led a network of criminals that hurt thousands of innocent car owners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. “This case represents the kind of far-reaching investigation that federal, state, and local law enforcement can achieve when working together.”
The case was part of a nationwide effort to dismantle catalytic converter theft rings, with cooperation from the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and local law enforcement. The investigation highlighted the value of strong collaboration across agencies to combat organized crime and protect communities.
Special Agent Linda T. Nguyen of the IRS noted, “The financial expertise of IRS agents helped trace the assets and uncover the truth behind these organizations.” The success of this operation is seen as a significant step in tackling this growing crime problem across the country.
This case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which works to disrupt and dismantle high-level criminal enterprises. For more information on OCDETF efforts, visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.
