Tou Sue Vang, a 33-year-old resident of Sacramento, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale catalytic converter theft operation. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that Vang, along with his brother Andrew Vang and mother Monica Moua, acquired stolen catalytic converters from local thieves. They sold these to a buyer in New Jersey for over $38 million. Catalytic converters are targeted by thieves due to their valuable precious metals and the ease with which they can be stolen.
The prosecution is part of a broader initiative aimed at dismantling a nationwide catalytic converter theft conspiracy. In addition to the three California defendants, the case involves 12 defendants from New Jersey, including Navin Khanna and Tinu Khanna who operated DG Auto and bought the stolen goods from California. The Vangs conducted their operations primarily from private residences and storage units without holding a valid business license.
Tou Vang used proceeds from these illegal activities to support an extravagant lifestyle, purchasing properties and vehicles with cash. As part of his sentence, the United States has forfeited more than $150,000 in currency as well as several vehicles and properties.
“This defendant led a network of criminals that hurt thousands of innocent car owners,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Beckwith. She emphasized the importance of law enforcement partnerships in tackling such criminal conspiracies.
Linda T. Nguyen, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office, remarked on the role financial expertise played in tracing assets involved in this case: “Today’s sentencing is a true reflection of the collaborative commitment between all the local, state, and federal agencies who contributed to this outcome.”
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation with assistance from various police departments across California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica M.A. Alegría and Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud are prosecuting this case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program.