Federal prosecutors have charged three men in two separate cargo theft investigations that together involve nearly $600,000 in losses, targeting commercial freight carriers and businesses operating across West Tennessee.
The stolen merchandise included computer networking switches, televisions and tires. Federal authorities announced the indictments Monday in Memphis.
One of the investigations focuses on Arista computer networking switches and other commercial freight allegedly stolen during the summer of 2024. Prosecutors charged 53-year-old Aubrey Brown and 24-year-old Kemptrell Daniels with allegedly possessing the stolen merchandise, which was valued at more than $5,000.
According to the indictment, the alleged conduct occurred between July and August 2024.
Brown is also accused of transporting stolen Arista switches from Tennessee into California, Georgia and Texas. Prosecutors allege that he knew the equipment had been stolen.
Brown faces three federal counts, while Daniels faces two. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison upon conviction, along with the possibility of fines and supervised release.
The Justice Department has not disclosed the original destination of the Arista equipment or the total loss attributed to that investigation.
Four CSX shipments involved in second case
The second indictment names 32-year-old Pierre Smith and concerns stolen televisions and tires taken from four CSX rail shipments between March and August 2024.
The merchandise included products manufactured by Insignia, Samsung, Toyo and Sumitomo. Each count involves goods valued at more than $1,000.
The four shipments covered multiple interstate routes.
One involved Insignia televisions moving from California to Georgia. Another carried Toyo tires in the opposite direction. Samsung televisions were transported from California to Tennessee, while Sumitomo tires moved from Georgia to Tennessee.
Prosecutors allege that Smith knowingly possessed stolen property from each of the four interstate shipments.
He faces four federal counts. Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison following conviction, with fines and supervised release also possible.
Authorities have not disclosed the locations where the underlying thefts occurred.
CSX told FreightWaves that its police have worked with local and federal agencies on cargo theft investigations in and around Memphis. Those efforts have involved Memphis police, the FBI task force and other law enforcement agencies.
According to CSX, several investigations have resulted in arrests and the recovery of stolen merchandise, although the railroad did not specify which cases resulted in those recoveries.
FBI Memphis task force coordinated the cases
Both federal investigations were handled by the FBI Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force.
Memphis Police, CSX Police and FedEx Security assisted the task force, along with law enforcement partners from across the country.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Delery is prosecuting both cases. The Justice Department has not indicated that the two indictments are connected.
“Interstate cargo theft is not a victimless crime,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said, arguing that the impact extends to businesses and communities and can generate millions of dollars in losses.
Reilly oversees the FBI Nashville Field Office, while the Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force conducted the investigations. Memphis Police, CSX Police, FedEx Security and law enforcement agencies nationwide contributed to the cases.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant also pointed to Memphis’ role in the broader U.S. transportation system following the indictments.
Memphis is a major transportation hub with extensive air cargo, rail, highway and river infrastructure. Dunavant said theft that disrupts that interstate commerce would not be tolerated and called for aggressive federal prosecution and significant consequences.
Several key details remain unknown
Despite the indictments, authorities have not publicly explained how the merchandise was stolen or identified every location where the thefts allegedly occurred.
The Justice Department has also not released a detailed breakdown showing how the nearly $600,000 in combined losses was calculated across the two investigations.
The indictments contain allegations, and the defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence. Prosecutors must prove the charges in court.
Why it matters
The cases illustrate how cargo theft can extend beyond a single facility or shipment, affecting technology equipment, consumer products and rail freight across several interstate transportation corridors.
For carriers, shippers and other transportation professionals, the investigations highlight potential vulnerabilities surrounding high-value freight moving through complex, interconnected supply chains.
