Volunteers collecting essential supplies through noon tomorrow at East Old 83 donation site
Oil Fraud Bust: Rio Hondo Family Faces $300M Federal Case for Smuggling and Laundering
FBI seizes trucks as Jensen family stands accused of laundering millions through oil operations; brothers could face up to 20 years.
Published April 25 2025
Oil Fraud Bust: Rio Hondo Family Faces $300M Federal Case for Smuggling and Laundering
FBI and DPS Target Multi-State Operation with Seizures and Indictments
RIO HONDO, TX — A multi-agency federal investigation has brought serious criminal charges against a Rio Hondo family, accused of orchestrating an international oil industry fraud scheme worth hundreds of millions of dollars. On Wednesday, FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety agents executed a search at Arroyo Terminal facilities for a criminal investigation dating back to May 2022. They removed 18-wheelers linked to the alleged crimes and transferring them to a CBP-controlled yard.
At the center of the probe are two brothers — Maxwell Sterling Jensen (25) and Zachary Golden Jensen (26) — who appeared before a judge this week facing multiple federal charges, including:
- Money laundering
- Smuggling goods into the United States
- Filing false customs declarations
Authorities allege the pair worked through a sophisticated scheme to illegally import oil-related products and launder money through falsified export documentation.
A Family Affair: Parents Indicted in Utah
The criminal case doesn’t stop at the Rio Grande Valley. The brothers’ parents, James Leal Jensen and Kelley Jensen, were arrested in Utah and indicted for conspiracy tied to the same operation.
“This is a complex case with international dimensions and substantial financial implications,” one official stated.
Federal prosecutors are now seeking to forfeit approximately $300 million in assets allegedly tied to the illegal activity. These could include bank accounts, real estate, and business equipment across multiple states.
Legal Stakes: Up to 20 Years in Prison
The Jensen brothers are expected to appear in court again next Tuesday. If convicted, each brother could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Charges involving customs fraud and smuggling carry heavy penalties, especially when linked to transnational operations and laundering schemes of this scale.
Helpful Links and Contact Information
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): https://www.fbi.gov
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): https://www.cbp.gov
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): https://www.dps.texas.gov
- FBI Tip Line (for federal fraud or smuggling): 📞 (956) 546-6922
For case updates or to report additional information related to this investigation, contact federal or state law enforcement directly.
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