Third Defendant Pleads Guilty to Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicles |
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U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana
September 7, 2012
Conspiracy Involved Approximately 60 ATVs with a Value in Excess of $360,000
LAKE CHARLES, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Luis B. Calixto, Sr., 46, of Houston, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Lake Charles before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of interstate transportation of stolen vehicles.
Calixto and two co-defendants, Shaun Cody Gauthreaux, 28, and Allen Joseph Morehead, Jr., 26, both of Kinder, Louisiana, were all charged in December 2011 with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. According to court documents, FBI agents began investigating an organized theft ring involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that were stolen and transported to the home of Calixto in Houston. The stolen ATVs were linked to cases in Calcasieu, Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Jefferson, Vernon, and Sabine Parishes in Louisiana, and Harris, Newton, and Hardin Counties in Texas. Law enforcement identified a total theft of approximately 60 stolen ATVs/outdoor vehicles valued at approximately $363,000. The thefts occurred between March 2010 and August 2010.
Calixto’s two co-defendants previously pled guilty in federal court. Shaun Cody Gauthreaux pled guilty on March 19, 2012, and Allen Joseph Morehead, Jr., plead guilty on April 10, 2012, both to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles.
At sentencing, Calixto faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years; Gauthreaux and Morehead face a term of imprisonment of not more than five years. All defendants face a fine of not more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. The sentencing date for Calixto is scheduled for December 13, 2012; Allen Morehead on October 18, 2012 and Shaun Gauthreaux on October 25, 2012.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lake Charles Resident Agency; Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Vehicle Crimes Unit; Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office; Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office; Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office; Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office; Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office; Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Newton County Sheriff’s Office; Hardin County Sheriff’s Office; and the Houston Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.