A federal grand jury in Des Moines has issued a nine-count indictment against multiple individuals accused of involvement in a scheme to steal and resell used restaurant cooking oil. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly stole used cooking oil from collection tanks at restaurants across several states, including Iowa, Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky. The stolen oil was then transported to warehouses located in Nevada; Ankeny, Iowa; Lewisburg, Tennessee; Dora, Alabama; and Tipp City, Ohio. The group is accused of selling the oil for profit and laundering the proceeds.
The following individuals have been charged:
– Tianzhu Chen (33), Flushing, New York: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; two counts of money laundering.
– Jingliu Chen (55), Flushing, New York: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
– Yong Chen (32), Brooklyn, New York: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
– Xian Quan Guo (48), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
– Jianfa Huang (40), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; interstate transportation of stolen property.
– Fukang Wang (37), Staten Island, New York: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
– Futao Wang (36), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; interstate transportation of stolen property.
– Jie Wang (30), Dayton, Ohio: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
– Xiangjing Wang (34), Des Moines, Iowa: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
– Danrong Zhang (38), Flushing, New York: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate; money laundering.
– Changxu Zou (41), Tulia, Texas: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
– Changyu Zou (38), Edmond, Oklahoma: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
– Wenrong Zou (32), Edmond, Oklahoma: conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
Federal authorities executed search and arrest warrants related to the case in six states—namely Iowa, Ohio, New York, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas.
Xian Quan Guo, Jianfa Huang, Futao Wang and Xiangjing Wang appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Iowa for their initial court appearances. Their trial is scheduled for February 2nd 2026. The remaining defendants are expected in court at later dates.
“United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.” The Central Iowa Gang Task Force from the FBI’s Des Moines Resident Agency led the investigation with support from various local law enforcement agencies as well as several other FBI field offices and units within the Environmental Protection Agency.
Authorities reminded that an indictment is only an allegation. “All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
