MIAMI - On April 29, Antonio Perez Toledo, 40, of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Brian Perez, 43, of Homestead, Florida, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a transnational conspiracy to export stolen outboard engines to Mexico through two Miami-based freight forwarding companies. Antonio Perez Toledo was sentenced to 48 months in prison, and Brian Perez was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

The sentencing hearings were held before U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams. Judge Williams also ordered the defendants to forfeit the proceeds they each received from the scheme, and to pay restitution to the identifiable victims.

Antonio Perez Toledo and Brian Perez participated in a conspiracy that spanned from 2015 and 2019. The co-conspirators used two Miami freight forwarding companies, and together exported over 600 stolen engines with a replacement value of more than $12 million dollars. Over several years, Antonio Perez Toledo and Brian Perez each personally arranged to export approximately $1 million worth of stolen engines. Before exporting the engines, the co-conspirators affixed false serial number stickers on the engines. Other co-conspirators, charged in related indictments, have also been convicted and sentenced for their roles in this transnational conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Margelot, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Southeast Region, announced the sentences imposed.

HSI Miami and CGIS investigated the case, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana Maria Martinez prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-20344.

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