Man sentenced after making $38 million from catalytic converter theft ring

(Gray News) - A man was sentenced for his role in transporting thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines, laundering money and other related crimes.

Tou Sue Vang, 33, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Bechwith.

According to court documents, Tou Sue Vang, along with his brother Andrew Vang and mother Monica Moua, purchased stolen catalytic converters from thieves in California and sold them to a buyer in New Jersey for more than $38 million. The buyer then sold the converters and the precious metals to a metal refinery for more than $600 million, according to the indictment.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, thieves steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals and then sell them to buyers. The black-market price for certain catalytic converters from California can be more than $1,000 each.

Tou Sue Vang spent the proceeds of these stolen catalytic converters to fund his lavish lifestyle, including purchasing a five-acre multi-home complex in Rio Linda for $1.235 million in cash, over a dozen motor vehicles and an additional home in Sacramento, according to authorities.

“This defendant led a network of criminals that hurt thousands of innocent car owners,” Beckwith said.

This prosecution is part of a nationwide initiative that dismantled a catalytic converter theft conspiracy.