Crude Oil Thieves Plead Guilty to Stealing Tens of Thousands of Barrels

Six individuals have pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to steal crude oil from Permian Basin producers and resell it at discounted rates. The scheme involved tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil, which was stolen from eastern New Mexico and sold to Louis George Edgett and Brenden Floyd Strickland for between $10 and $15 per barrel.

The defendants admitted to stealing the oil during a seven-count indictment that also charged 14 others. Prosecutors said Edgett and Strickland bought the oil at well below market prices, with one example showing 10,975 barrels sold in June 2022 and July 2024 for an estimated $888,975 but only paid $164,625.

The conspirators also claimed to have stolen crude oil valued at up to $1.5 million. Each defendant who pleaded guilty faces up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.