Five men are facing federal charges in relation to a massive operation to steal millions of dollars’ worth of crude oil from New Mexico pipelines.
Defendants Maxwell Jensen, Thomas Rees, Christopher Ortega, German Ortiz-Santillano, and Christian Jesus Contreras Varela have been charged with interstate transportation of stolen property as well as aiding and abetting, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
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Authorities allege that the defendants plotted to steal crude oil from Plains All American Pipeline facilities in New Mexico, store it at a Carlsbad yard, and transport it to West Texas for resale.
In June 2025, special agents from the Bureau of Land Management initiated an inquiry after receiving information about the crude oil theft operation.
Over the course of four weeks, investigators documented more than twenty theft runs, with hundreds of barrels siphoned per day and each cargo worth tens of thousands of dollars.
From the United States Attorney’s Office:
“As alleged, Rees managed the Carlsbad yard through his company, Hound Dog Energy, where he received and sold stolen oil while producing fraudulent load tickets to disguise the thefts. Ortega directed truck drivers, prepared false documentation, and recruited additional participants to expand the conspiracy. Ortiz-Santillano, an employee of Plains All American Pipeline, abused his position to provide the conspirators access to pigging stations where the thefts occurred. Contreras Varela drove to the pipeline to connect a vacuum truck and steal the oil before returning to Rees’s yard. Jensen coordinated the scheme as the leader and organizer.“
According to officials, the plan generated millions of dollars in crude oil revenue.
Contreras Varela, a Mexican national, is also charged with possessing a pistol and ammunition as an alien.
Jensen, Rees, Ortega, and Ortiz-Santillano could face up to ten years in prison if found guilty. Contreras Varela faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
