The trio, all residents of Sacramento, California, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey. The U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of California announced the guilty pleas, revealing that the family members were involved in a ring that transported stolen catalytic converters in exchange for wired payments totaling over $38 million.

Tou Sue Vang, in addition to pleading guilty to the conspiracy charge, also admitted guilt to 39 additional charges related to money laundering. Meanwhile, Andrew Vang's lawyer, Todd Leras, declined to comment on the case, stating that he preferred to address the matter through court filings. As for Monica Moua and Tou Sue Vang, they did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The crackdown on this nationwide catalytic converter theft conspiracy took place in October and November 2022, with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together. These agencies aimed to dismantle the operation responsible for stealing catalytic converters and selling them to a metal refinery for a staggering $600 million.

Catalytic converters have become an attractive target for thieves due to their high value. These devices contain precious metals like palladium, rhodium, and platinum, which can be extracted and resold for up to $50 per gram. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, nationwide thefts of catalytic converters increased by over 1,200 percent between 2019 and 2021.

The Sacramento-based family operated an unlicensed business from their residence, where they purchased stolen catalytic converters from local thieves. They then shipped these stolen devices to DG Auto Parts LLC in New Jersey for processing. Prosecutors revealed that the family members sold more than $38 million worth of stolen catalytic converters to the company.

In total, charges were filed against 21 individuals, including seven individuals connected to DG Auto in various locations across New Jersey. The charges against the New Jersey defendants are still pending. Court records state that the Vang brothers and Monica Moua knowingly purchased stolen catalytic converters and used a “de-canning” process to extract the precious metal powders from the catalytic core.

DG Auto would then sell the metal powders obtained from the stolen catalytic converters, which were processed not only from California but also from other locations, to a metal refinery. California was particularly affected by catalytic converter thefts, with around 1,600 reported stolen each month last year, accounting for 37 percent of all catalytic converter theft claims nationwide.

While a sentencing date for the three family members from Sacramento has not been scheduled yet, Monica Moua and Andrew Vang each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. On the other hand, Tou Sue Vang's guilty pleas to 40 counts carry maximum penalties ranging from five to 20 years in prison, along with fines ranging from $500,000 to $250,000, according to prosecutors.