Maxwell Sterling Jensen, 25, and James Lael Jensen, 68, family members from Sandy, Utah, have been charged with conspiring to support the Jalisco New Generation cartel, a Mexican organization designated as a terrorist entity. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in providing material support to this cartel, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering and related smuggling offenses. The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that they aided the cartel by concealing the origins of proceeds from illegally smuggled crude oil and facilitating the unauthorized entry of nearly 3,000 oil shipments. Their operations reportedly took place through a business named Arroyo Terminals, located in Rio Hondo, Texas.
In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities arrested the Jensens and seized considerable assets, including four tank barges filled with crude oil, three commercial tanker trucks, a personal vehicle, and an Arroyo Terminal pickup. This seizure reflects the scale of their alleged operations and underscores the serious nature of the charges against them. The DOJ’s investigation revealed the Jensens’ intricate schemes aimed at generating millions of dollars that funded the cartel’s activities—a key financial resource in the drug trafficking landscape.
The Jalisco New Generation cartel was formally designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department on February 20, which has intensified law enforcement efforts against its affiliates. Prosecutors are currently seeking up to $300 million in judgments if the Jensens are convicted, and if found guilty, they could face sentences exceeding 20 years in prison. The severity of these potential outcomes emphasizes the government’s determination to dismantle organizations engaged in narcotics trafficking and related crimes.
William Kimbell, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Houston, explained that the investigation initially focused on drug trafficking but quickly expanded due to the complex nature of the criminal operations uncovered. This multifaceted case revealed how raw oil smuggling can parallel and even underpin the drug trade, highlighting the significant revenues generated from these illicit activities that ultimately fuel cartel operations.
Kimbell noted the critical nature of collaboration among federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and state organizations in unraveling these intricate criminal enterprises. The investigation exemplifies a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges posed by such organized crime, which carries serious implications for both the United States and Mexico. This cooperative effort aims not only to bring the perpetrators to justice but also to disrupt the networks that facilitate drug trafficking and related violence.
As the case progresses, attorneys representing both Maxwell and James Jensen have been contacted for comments, indicating that the legal proceedings will scrutinize the evidence against them thoroughly. This case serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often interconnected nature of drug trafficking and financial crimes, which demand vigilant law enforcement and sustained collaborative efforts to address effectively.
