Miami businessman Hector Samuel Esquijerosa, 52, has admitted to orchestrating a fraud scheme that tricked U.S. customs officials, allowing him to avoid taxes on truck tires imported from China. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, and could face up to five years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
From 2018 to January 2023, Esquijerosa ran his scheme through two Miami companies, Production Tire Company and Premier Trade Corporation. He worked with partners in China, Canada, and the UK to avoid U.S. tariffs on Chinese truck tires. The scheme involved mislabeling the tires' country of origin and creating fake invoices to deceive U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), resulting in a loss of over $1.9 million in revenue.
According to the prosecution, Esquijerosa shipped truck tires to the U.S. through third countries, falsely claiming they did not come from China. He also created two sets of invoices—one to undervalue the tires for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and another showing their true value, likely to maximize profits from under-taxed goods.
The investigation, led by HSI Miami with support from CBP's Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise, uncovered Esquijerosa's scheme. His sentencing is set for February 24, 2025, where a judge will determine his punishment based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Esquijerosa faces up to 5 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aimee Jimenez, with Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Raemy Charest-Turken overseeing the forfeiture of related assets.
Interested parties can access related court documents and more information at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or through the PACER system at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, using case number 24-cr-20436.
