LINCOLN, NEB. – Three Florida men recently pled guilty to stealing $9 million in frozen meat from meat packing plants in the Midwest in 2022.

Yoslany Leyva Del Sol, Ledier Machin Andino and Delvis L. Fuentes, from Miami, Fla., all face up to 10 years, according to the plea agreements filed at the US District Court for the District of Southern Florida. However, sentencing guidance from the court recommends 18 to 24 months for each person. 

The men will also have to pay more than $200,000 in restitution as part of the plea deal.

Sentencing for the case is expected to be on July 26 in Miami. 

In October 2022, local and federal officials arrested the three men for transporting stolen goods and money laundering. 

Homeland Security Investigation found that a “highly sophisticated organized criminal enterprise” targeted beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. 

The investigation by Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Task Force and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Omaha identified 45 thefts since June 2021.

In June 2022, Lancaster County began an investigation into the theft of several semitrailers containing frozen beef.