Des Moines, Iowa – Thirteen people, including several with ties to Iowa, have been indicted in a multistate operation that allegedly stole and resold used restaurant cooking oil, according to federal prosecutors. The scheme involved warehouses in Ankeny and Des Moines, as well as facilities in Nevada, Tennessee, Alabama, and Ohio.
Indictment Details
A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a nine-count indictment on December 9, charging the defendants with racketeering conspiracy, interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering.
The indictment alleges that the group targeted restaurants across Iowa and at least nine other states, stealing used cooking oil from collection tanks. The oil, which is valuable because it can be refined into biodiesel, was then transported to warehouses in Ankeny and Des Moines, and later sold while the proceeds were laundered, prosecutors said.
Iowa-Based Suspects
Those charged with Iowa connections include:
- Xian Quan Guo, 48, of Des Moines — racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property
- Jianfa Huang, Des Moines — racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property; interstate transportation of stolen property
- Futao Wang, 36, of Des Moines — racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property; interstate transportation of stolen property
- Xiangjing Wang, 34, of Des Moines — racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to transport stolen property; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property
Law Enforcement Actions
Federal agents executed search and arrest warrants on Thursday in Iowa, Ohio, New York, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas. Guo, Huang, Futao Wang, and Xiangjing Wang made their first court appearances Thursday in the Southern District of Iowa, with trial scheduled for February 2, 2026. Other defendants are scheduled to appear in Des Moines at later dates.
Investigating Agencies
U.S. Attorney David C. Waterman announced the charges, noting that the case is being investigated by the FBI’s Central Iowa Gang Task Force, in cooperation with multiple Iowa law enforcement agencies, including:
- Polk County and Story County sheriff’s offices
- Des Moines and West Des Moines police departments
- Iowa Department of Public Safety
- Iowa Department of Transportation
Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency and FBI field offices across the country assisted in the investigation.
Environmental and Economic Implications
Used cooking oil, often collected from restaurants, is a valuable commodity for producing biodiesel. Prosecutors say the defendants’ scheme diverted significant quantities of oil that should have been processed or recycled responsibly, highlighting both environmental concerns and the potential for economic losses to legitimate businesses.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and encourage anyone with information about the illegal cooking oil network to come forward.
What Do You Think?
Should law enforcement increase monitoring of waste oil collection to prevent theft and environmental violations? How can restaurants better protect their used cooking oil from being stolen? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion.
