Former Trucking CEO Pleads Guilty in Fraud Scheme
The former CEO of the trucking company USA Dry Van Logistics has pleaded guilty in federal court in Texas to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud.


The former CEO of the trucking company USA Dry Van Logistics has pleaded guilty in federal court in Texas to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud.
Sergio Lagos headed up the cross-border trucking company that services the Mexico manufacturing and export zone to the U.S., known commonly as the maquiladora industry.
Co-conspirators Aurelio “Jim” Aleman and Oscar Barbosa, former chief operations officer and former controller for the company, respectively, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2013.
According to court records, Aleman and Lagos entered into a financing agreement with GE Capital Corp. for a revolving line of credit, which was secured by trucking company’s accounts receivables. By January 2010, the maximum borrowing limit under the agreement was increased to $38 million with USADV justifying advances on the line of credit by submitting false information.
Lagos admitted that from March 2008 through the end of January 2010, he participated in a scheme to defraud GE Capital, including concealing from the creditor the truth about USADV’s declining operating performance and financial results, making it appear to be operating more profitably that it actually was.
According to the FBI, Lagos signed, prepared or directed others to prepare certificates that falsely inflated the amount of the company’s accounts receivables and had them submitted to GE Capital to enable USADV to obtain more funds than would otherwise have been permitted. This included directing other employees to manually invoice millions of dollars of fraudulent receivables to inflate the borrowing base and to create false and forged invoices and support documentation for accounts receivables that did not exist. Lagos also admitted to submitting false financial statements to auditors and GE Capital.
When the truth about USADV’s operations and finances were revealed, USADV went into bankruptcy, successfully re-organized under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and is currently operating with new owners, according to the FBI. Lagos, Aleman and Barbosa are no longer affiliated with or employed by the company.
The government alleges the estimated loss to GE Capital is more than $26 million. The U.S. district judge who accepted the guilty plea, will make a final determination of that loss at the time Lagos is sentenced. At that time, he also faces up 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. The hearing has been scheduled for April 13.
More Fleet Management

Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →
Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.
Read More →
Deen Albert: Let Automation Do the Math, People Make the Decisions
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Deen Albert makes sure people are still at the heart of operations at Grand Island Express, even while adopting artificial intelligence tools. AI-assisted dispatch helped boost revenue 25% with the same number of trucks.
Read More →Trimble’s New AI Agent Takes Aim at Fleet Back-Office Busywork
Arc Agent works across Trimble TMS products to automate repetitive tasks such as freight orders, maintenance, invoices, fuel costs and more.
Read More →
How HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators Are Rethinking Fleet Operations
Meet five trucking leaders who are challenging assumptions, solving operational problems, and putting innovative ideas to work.
Read More →
Tight Trucking Capacity Pushes Rates Higher Even as Freight Volumes Fall
“Spot rates moving ahead of contract rates have historically signaled a tightening market, but we haven’t seen a capacity-driven market quite like this one,” said DAT's Dean Croke.
Read More →
Import Cargo’s Early Peak Season is Winding Down
There was an early start to peak season this year at the nation's gateway ports, as retailers brought in merchandise ahead of tariff changes in late July and responded to other supply chain uncertainties,
Read More →
Fewer Cargo Thefts, Bigger Losses: Criminals Target Higher-Value Loads
CargoNet says organized theft rings are stealing fewer shipments but choosing more valuable freight, including metals and technology, resulting in record losses.
Read More →
How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage
As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.
Read More →
