Sacramento's family-run catalytic converter ring is $38 million. Mom and two sons plead guilty

Tou Sue Vang runs a profitable family business in Sacramento with his brother Andrew and his mother Monica Moua.

But lucrative household businesses are illegal, involving a program to buy stolen catalytic converters that earned more than $38 million for the family.

Tou Sue Vang, 33, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in stealing a ring, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In 2023, Vang, along with his brother and mother, pleaded guilty to murder the stolen catalytic converter purchased from local thieves and sold it to a New Jersey buyer for more than $38 million, officials said. Vang also pleaded guilty to 39 additional money laundering charges. Vang's brother and mother are waiting for sentencing.

Catalytic converter thieves have become common throughout the United States because parts of cars are easily stolen, have no identification marks, and are extremely valuable. Catalytic converters contain precious metals, making some of them worth over $1,000 on the black market.

Inglewood had at least one person shot to prevent catalytic converter theft.

Officials said Feng and his family operated illegal businesses from private residences and storage departments without valid business licenses or scrap. Vang ships more than 1,000 pounds of goods to DG Auto, New Jersey.

DG Auto then sold the converter and precious metals to metal refineries for more than $600 million, the indictment said.

Authorities said the case also included 12 defendants from New Jersey, including brothers Navin Khanna and Tinu Khanna, who operated DG Auto and purchased the stolen catalytic converter from California.

Authorities say Feng used some of the money from the business to buy another home in Sacramento, Rio Linda, a 5-acre, $1.235 billion home, as well as more than a dozen cars and personal boats. Vang, as part of his verdict, confiscated more than $150,000 in cash, plus 13 cars, 4 ships, jewelry, real estate and other properties.

“This defendant led a network of criminals that hurt thousands of innocent car owners,” said Agent We Atty. Michele Beckwith in the press release. “This case represents the kind of far-reaching investigation that federal, state and local law enforcement partners can do when they work together.”