Investigations

On March 7, 2017, Cory Preece of X-Treme Motors (X-Treme) was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Salt Lake City, Utah, to 12 months’ probation after he pleaded guilty to making false statements and aiding and abetting. In October 2015, X-Treme, Cory Preece, Tyson Preece, and Toby Green were indicted for transporting hazardous materials, smuggling goods from the United States, making false statements, and aiding and abetting while attempting to ship hazardous and other controlled materials via commercial aircraft without proper declaration. Preece pleaded guilty to knowingly and willfully misrepresenting shipping labels and other documentation to conceal the contents of shipments.

 

On September 17, 2014, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) advised DOT-OIG that X-Treme had attempted to ship gun cleaner (a flammable aerosol), which was refused by postal personnel after it was identified as a hazardous material. HSI further advised that X-Treme appeared to have purchased and repackaged hazardous materials—including 12-ounce cans of foaming bore cleaner and Tasers containing lithium batteries—and shipped them to foreign companies via air carrier without properly declaring them.

 

On February 27, 2017, Toby Green pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months' probation for his role in the scheme.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with HSI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.