Article Summary
A Utah oil tycoon couple, James Lael Jensen and Kelly Anne Jensen, were arrested following a massive federal raid for allegedly smuggling oil from Mexico worth at least $300 million and working with Mexican cartels. The couple, owners of Arroyo Terminals, face charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The arrests occurred at their $9.1 million mansion in Sandy, Utah. The couple and their two sons, Maxwell and Zachary Jensen, are accused of conspiring to smuggle 2,881 shipments of crude oil since May 2022. If convicted, each family member could face up to 20 years in prison and an estimated $300 million in property owned by the family involved is subject to forfeiture.
What This Means for You
- Be aware of the extensive reach and influence of Mexican cartels in the United States.
- Understand the severity of consequences for money laundering and conspiracy charges, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years.
- Recognize the importance of regulatory compliance for businesses, as illegal activities can lead to severe legal repercussions and damage to a company’s reputation.
- Stay informed about ongoing efforts to combat cartel-related crimes and the impact on local communities and the economy.
Original Post
A Utah oil tycoon couple, James Lael Jensen and Kelly Anne Jensen, have been arrested following a massive federal raid, according to multiple news reports.
The two are accused of smuggling oil from Mexico worth at least $300 million and working alongside Mexican cartels to accomplish that, according to Salt Lake City’s NBC affiliate KSL-TV.
The couple, owners of Arroyo Terminals, a crude oil purchasing company in Rio Hondo, Texas, face charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The Arroyo Terminals all reportedly operated near the border.
The arrests occurred April 23 at their $9.1 million mansion in Sandy, Utah, KSL reported.
U.S. Marshals conducted the raid as part of a multi-state operation targeting the alleged smuggling scheme. The Jensens are accused of working with Mexican cartels to import crude oil illegally into the United States.
Court documents reveal that the couple and two of their sons, Maxwell and Zachary Jensen, conspired to smuggle 2,881 shipments of crude oil since May 2022.
The oil was “directed to businesses in Mexico that operate only through the permission of Mexican criminal organization,” KSL reported, citing detention documents from the U.S. District Court of Utah. The scheme allegedly funneled millions to the cartels.
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James and Kelly Jensen pleaded not guilty to the charges in federal court, according to KVEO-TV.
Do you think Mexican cartel influence is bigger in America than we realize?
Maxwell and Zachary Jensen, also implicated in the scheme, pleaded not guilty in a separate hearing. The brothers face similar charges of money laundering and conspiracy.
The federal indictment details a complex operation involving Arroyo Terminals, a company James Jensen founded.
The business allegedly served as a front for the illicit oil imports, with payments directed to Mexican entities linked to cartels.
The Jensens knew these payments supported criminal activities, according to the charges.
The raid on Arroyo Terminals in Texas was part of a broader crackdown on cartel-related crimes. The company’s website was privatized following the operation, according to the KSL report, indicating a significant disruption to its operations.
The Key Terms:
- Money Laundering
- Mexican Cartels
- Crude Oil Smuggling
- Arroyo Terminals
- Federal Raid
- Money Laundering Conspiracy
- Illicit Payments
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