Multi-agency sting targeted auto body shops allegedly involved in insurance fraud

A multi-agency task force investigated automobile body shops over alleged insurance fraud claims.

The investigation, called Operation Paint Job, took 22 months and included the following automobile body shops:

Gordo’s Body Shop, 3625 Gateway West
Rigo’s Body Shop, 167 N. Copia Big V’s Design,4400 Dyer
C&M Body Shop, 4034 Harrison

According to police, Task Force investigation discovered that the alleged suspects employed by the body shops were intentionally damaging vehicles to make fraudulent insurance claims.

The damages would vary from vandalism to staged accidents, according to police.

The Task Force went undercover to investigate the allegations at the businesses.

On Thursday, November 19, 2015 members of the Task Force conducted a warrant round up on the listed businesses and arrested the following individuals:

Gordo’s Body Shop (28-year-old Matthew Nathanial Olivas), insurance fraud over $1500 but under $20,000 with a bond of $2,500.
Rigo’s Body Shop (33-year-old Juan Francisco Apodaca), two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity-insurance fraud bond of $20,000 each.
Rigo’s Body Shop (45-year-old Rigoberto Martinez Leanos), two counts of engaging in criminal activity-insurance fraud. Bonds of $20,000 and $25,000.
Rigo’s Body Shop (43-year-old Cid Romero), insurance fraud of more than $1500 but under $20,000. Bond of $7,500.
Rigo’s Body Shop (23-year-old Christian Rodriguez), insurance fraud of more than $1500 but under $20,000. Bond of $7,500.
Rigo’s Body Shop (23-year-old Daniel Martinez Salas), insurance fraud of more than $1,500 but under $25,000 with a bond of $7,500.
Rigo’s Body Shop (24-year-old Julio Mota), Insurance fraud of more than $1,500 but under $20,000 with a bond of $7,500.
Big V’s Body Shop (28-year-old Christopher Adam Enriquez), Insurance fraud of more than $1,500 but under $20,000 with a bond of $1,500.
C&M Body Shop (50-year-old Miguel Angel Garcia), insurance fraud of more than $1500 but under $20,000 with a bond of $2,500.
C&M Body Shop (27-year-old Michael Christopher Crowe), insurance fraud with a bond of $10,000.

The Task Force is working with the District Attorney’s Office to coordinate prosecution.

The Task Force is made up of:

Officers with the El Paso Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force assigned to the FBI’s Major Theft Task Force
Agents from the Texas Department of Public Safety CID section Homeland Security Investigations National Insurance Crime Bureau USAA Insurance