Man Pleads Guilty To Fraud In 'Double Broker' Trucking Scheme

SAN DIEGO, CA — A Tijuana man pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges Thursday for a scheme that defrauded trucking companies and freight brokers, netting him nearly $250,000 in ill-gotten gains.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Alexis Castillo Padilla, 45, took part in a "double broker" scheme, in which he used a Spring Valley trucking company's stolen identity to agree to make freight deliveries. But instead of delivering that cargo, an indictment filed against Padilla states he posed as a shipper and re-brokered the loads to other carriers.

Once the deliveries were made, Padilla would collect payments as though he had made the deliveries. Of that money, little to none went to the actual carriers, according to the indictment.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said he ran most of the scheme from Tijuana. He was arrested in Italy and extradited to the United States earlier this year.

His plea agreement includes restitution payments of at least $239,904 to the victims.

U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said, "Padilla used deceit and deception to defraud freight brokers and interstate carriers trying to make an honest living moving goods throughout the United States. He will now be held to account for his crimes even though they were committed from outside the United States."

— City News Service