Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury in Memphis has returned indictments in two separate interstate cargo theft investigations resulting in nearly $600,000 in losses to commercial freight carriers and companies operating in West Tennessee. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictments today.
In the first matter, the grand jury indicted Aubrey Brown, 53, and Kemptrell Daniels, 24, for conduct occurring from July 2024 through August 2024. According to the indictment, Brown and Daniels knowingly received or possessed Arista computer networking switches and other commercial freight valued at more than $5,000 following their theft from an interstate shipment. Brown is further charged with transporting stolen Arista switches from Tennessee to other states, including California, Georgia, and Texas, knowing the goods had been stolen. Brown faces three federal charges, while Daniels faces two federal charges. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, along with fines and supervised release.
In a separate indictment, the grand jury charged Pierre Smith, 32, with four counts involving possession of stolen televisions and tires taken from interstate CSX rail shipments. According to the indictment, the conduct occurred from March 2024 through August 2024 and involved four separate thefts. The indictment alleges that Smith knowingly possessed stolen Insignia televisions from a shipment traveling from California to Georgia; stolen Toyo tires from a shipment traveling from Georgia to California; stolen Samsung televisions from a shipment traveling from California to Tennessee; and stolen Sumitomo tires from a shipment traveling from Georgia to Tennessee. In each count, Smith is alleged to have knowingly possessed stolen goods valued at more than $1,000 that had been taken from interstate freight. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, along with fines and supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Memphis sits at the crossroads of American commerce and has earned its reputation as America’s Distribution Center - home to a world-class transportation infrastructure, including one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, a major rail system, interstate highways, and the mighty Mississippi River. Cargo theft that disrupts and harms that crucial interstate commerce will not be tolerated and will be met with aggressive federal prosecution and significant consequences.”"Interstate cargo theft is not a victimless crime, it strikes businesses and communities creating millions of dollars in losses," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "These indictments demonstrate that those who allegedly profit from stealing and trafficking stolen cargo will face serious consequences. The FBI Nashville Cargo Theft Task Force and our partners are committed to holding accountable anyone who targets our transportation networks for personal gain."
Both cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force with assistance from the Memphis Police Department, CSX Police, FedEx Security, and law enforcement partners nationwide.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Delery is prosecuting both matters on behalf of the government.###For more information, please contact our Media Relations Team at USATNW.
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