A Texas Game Warden busted an organized crime ring and recovered over $275,000 worth of stolen watercraft and other vehicles.
Sergeant Game Warden Jonathan Griffin lead an investigation and seized 27 stolen vessels and trailers. He also filed charges and arrested three suspects for theft and engaging in organized crime.
The investigation jump started when Griffin received a tip from the La Marque Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Office. They informed him of someone titling multiple jet skis in their name at very low purchase prices.
During Griffin’s investigation he received information from a Florida county tax office. He was informed that the same suspect and another person were also titling multiple watercrafts in Florida. The jet skis were all stolen from Galveston, Texas and then sold with false titles and identification numbers according to different states.
After 27 stolen vessels and trailers were recovered, charges were filed against 3 suspects. They were all arrested for theft and engaging in organized crime. The agencies are working to recover and return more of the stolen watercrafts to their owners.
Griffin was nominated for the Investigator of the Year Award by the International Association of Marine Investigators for his work.
