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The leader of a criminal network based in Miami made up of Cuban nationals, who stole vehicles worth more than half a million dollars, was found guilty and faces permanent deportation from the United States, announced the Florida State Attorney's Office on Thursday.
The Cuban Oscar Gómez Guerra, 56 years old, was found guilty of grand theft and trafficking in stolen goods. The gang he led stole trailers, RVs, boats, caravans, and other large vehicles in the northern part of the state, causing a total loss of more than $550,000.
The police investigation revealed that the criminal group led by Gómez Guerra and based in Miami was traveling in rental cars to northern Florida, where they committed at least 10 robberies in the Ocala area.
In one of the incidents, the gang stole a trailer from an 80-year-old victim and later sold it in Flagler County.
A jury found Gómez Guerra guilty of a charge of grand theft of over $20,000 and a charge of trafficking in stolen goods, both of which are second-degree felonies.
The Cuban faces up to 60 years in prison and will be deported upon completing his sentence, the State Attorney's Office reported.
“This foreign criminal took advantage of Floridians and our nation, and his behavior earned him time in the Florida Department of Corrections,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier.
"Thanks to the work of our brave law enforcement officers and Assistant State Attorneys Ryan Shaw and Ben Grueschow, we achieved a conviction and a final deportation order for this foreign criminal. He will pay his debt to the people of Florida and then we will expel him from here," he warned.
According to police reports and news articles from previous years, Gómez Guerra has a long criminal history and has been arrested multiple times.
One of them, in 2021, after stealing appliances valued at 17,000 dollars from a house in Hialeah that was unoccupied due to renovation work.
The incident occurred in August of that year and was recorded by a surveillance camera installed in the residence. Gómez Guerra and an accomplice used a stolen truck to take the dishwasher, the oven, the toilets, and decorations from the property, which was undergoing renovation. An anonymous tip allowed authorities to establish the Cuban's responsibility in the case.
In December 2019, a statement from the Miami-Dade Police Department reported his arrest for stealing a trailer containing toys for children in need, which he took, along with another man, from the parking lot of St. Kevin Catholic Church in Miami.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crimes and Deportations of Cubans in Florida
What are the crimes for which Oscar Gómez Guerra was found guilty?
Oscar Gómez Guerra was found guilty of grand theft and trafficking in stolen goods. These offenses are part of an operation of a criminal network that stole vehicles in northern Florida, resulting in losses exceeding $550,000.
What sentence is Oscar Gómez Guerra facing, and what will his fate be after serving it?
Oscar Gómez Guerra faces up to 60 years in prison and will be deported once he has served his sentence. The Florida State Attorney's Office has confirmed that after serving his time in the Florida Department of Corrections, he will be expelled from the country.
How did the vehicle theft network led by Oscar Gómez Guerra operate?
The network stole large vehicles such as trailers, motorhomes, and boats, selling them in various areas of Florida. The group, made up of Cuban citizens, traveled in rented cars to the northern part of the state to carry out the thefts, severely affecting their victims.
What actions are being taken in Florida against organized crime of Cuban origin?
The authorities in Florida are dismantling criminal networks and deporting those involved. Recent cases, such as the vehicle theft ring that involved over 80 cars, demonstrate a coordinated effort to combat organized crime, with the involvement of various federal and state agencies.
What is the Trump administration's stance on Cuban immigrants with criminal records?
The Trump administration has intensified the deportation of Cubans with criminal records. Since returning to power, immigration operations have been conducted to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, as part of a policy focused on border protection and security.
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