A Houston man, Daniel Rodriguez-Martinez, 51, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme involving the theft of electricity worth over a million dollars, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office release, from March 2021 to May 2024, Rodriguez-Martinez and others used stolen identities to open electricity accounts under false names. These accounts were linked to real service addresses, causing innocent individuals to be tied to unpaid utility bills while actual users received power without interruption.
The group charged customers $80 per month for electricity through a fake company. When service was disconnected for nonpayment, they would reopen accounts using new stolen identities. This allowed them to avoid legitimate electricity costs and collect payments through platforms like CashApp and Zelle, which were funneled into a business account.
Rodriguez-Martinez has agreed to forfeit more than $450,000 in cash and property interests. His sentencing is scheduled for July 15 before Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He remains in custody. The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia is prosecuting.
