Federal Prosecutor Explains Next Steps In Catalytic Converter Theft Investigation

The US Attorney for the Tulsa area spoke Friday about the multimillion-dollar catalytic converter bust that sent 13 Oklahomans to jail in a nationwide investigation.

US Attorney Clint Johnson said it all started about nine months ago with crucial information from Tulsa Police.

He said TPD first came to his office, Homeland Security and the IRS, saying Tulsa had seen a 700 percent spike in catalytic converter thefts.

"As we started investigating, we realized that it was a nationwide ring,” Johnson said.

US attorneys do not typically work property theft cases. But this case, with three semi-trucks full of catalytic converters, several states, and half a billion dollars involved, rose to a federal level.

"You follow the money -- you're not dealing with just property theft. You're dealing with conspiracy. You're dealing with receiving stolen goods. You're dealing transporting stolen goods over interstate lines. You're dealing with money laundering,” he said. “They're hiding all the assets. The homes, the cars, the luxury items, the cash, the guns. Everything that they're buying with this money from illegitimate sources."

As for what's next, Johnson said it is possible some of the defendants could get out of jail on bond. But they are facing serious federal charges and Johnson hopes this case serves as a deterrent to other criminals.

"We're trying to keep some of the ring leaders detained,” Johnson said. “The courts will look at everything with the, that has criminal history. You know it's a nonviolent offense. So some of them will get out, but they'll be supervised and watched and everything while they await trial."

As for all the catalytic converters, Johnson said they will be stored in evidence, and one day probably crushed and recycled.