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Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 9:59 p.m.

Posted: 4:42 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

Arrest affidavit reveals identity of third person arrested in alleged chop-shop sting

Jaime Gandara and Jennifer Martinez
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
Jaime Gandara and Jennifer Martinez

By Geoff Tyler and El Paso County Sheriff's Office

SOCORRO, Texas —

Two arrest affidavits released on Wednesday by the El Paso Sheriff's Office explain new details of a third person who allegedly took a stolen car to Sierra Iron & Metal in Socorro.

According to the documents, 50-year-old Manuel Sosa, took a car that was stolen outside a mobile home in Horizon to Sierra to be dismantled for parts. He was reportedly paid $350 for it.

Investigators said this isn't the only time this has happened. The affidavit said Sosa told investigators that this has happened 15 times.

The owner of Sierra Iron & Metal Inc., Jaime Gandara allegedly had an agreement with his manager, Jennifer Martinez, to accept cars without titles. Gandara however maintains that he did not know the vehicle was stolen and says he was waiting for Sosa to find the title, which he claimed was missing.

Sosa, Gandara and Martinez are charged with fraudulent transfer of a motor vehicle. Sosa is also charged with the unauthorized use of a vehicle for allegedly driving the stolen vehicle onto the lot.

The El Paso Sheriff's Office said a car theft victim found his own vehicle on Sierra's lot and reported it to authorities.


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