Federal indictments target nearly $600K in interstate cargo theft tied to Memphis

Four CSX shipments enter the investigation

A separate indictment charges Pierre Smith, 32, with possessing stolen televisions and tires from four CSX rail shipments. Prosecutors place those incidents between March and August 2024. The merchandise included products from Insignia, Samsung, Toyo and Sumitomo. Each count involves goods valued above $1,000.

The first shipment carried Insignia televisions from California toward Georgia. Another transported Toyo tires in the opposite direction. Samsung televisions traveled from California toward Tennessee. Sumitomo tires moved from Georgia toward Tennessee.

Federal prosecutors accuse Smith of knowingly possessing stolen property from each interstate load. He faces four counts, with every charge carrying up to 10 years imprisonment following conviction. Fines and supervised release could accompany any resulting sentence. Authorities have not disclosed where the underlying thefts occurred.

CSX provided FreightWaves with additional information about its involvement in cargo theft investigations around Memphis. Company police worked alongside local and federal authorities, including Memphis officers and the FBI task force. Several investigations led to arrests and recovery of stolen merchandise, according to CSX. The railroad did not identify which incidents produced those recoveries.

Cargo theft task force joins investigation

The FBI Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force investigated both federal cases. Memphis Police, CSX Police and FedEx Security provided assistance alongside law enforcement partners nationwide. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Delery is prosecuting both matters. DOJ has not announced any connection between the separate indictments.

“Interstate cargo theft is not a victimless crime, it strikes businesses and communities creating millions of dollars in losses,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said. Reilly leads the FBI Nashville Field Office. The FBI Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force investigated both cases. Memphis Police, CSX Police, FedEx Security and law enforcement partners nationwide assisted.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant highlighted Memphis’ importance to American commerce following the indictments. The Tennessee transportation hub includes major air cargo, rail, highway and river infrastructure. “Cargo theft that disrupts and harms that crucial interstate commerce will not be tolerated,” Dunavant said. He called for aggressive federal prosecution and significant consequences.

Several details remain undisclosed. Authorities have not explained how thieves obtained the merchandise or identified every location where theft occurred. DOJ also has not provided a loss breakdown explaining the nearly $600,000 total. The indictments contain accusations, and prosecutors must prove the charges in court.

Why it matters

These investigations show how cargo theft can affect technology, consumer products and rail freight across multiple interstate lanes. Transportation professionals can study these cases for vulnerabilities involving high-value merchandise and complex supply chains.

Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.

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