Trucker who transported more than 900 stolen TVs sentenced to 1 year in prison

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A trucker who transported more than 900 stolen televisions was sentenced to one year and one day in prison Tuesday.

Gurvinder Singh — a trucker from India who sought asylum in the United States — participated in a conspiracy to steal truckloads of TVs from Walmart.

“I have made a mistake,” Singh said on Tuesday morning, when he appeared in court for sentencing. “For which I ask for forgiveness.”

When, exactly, Singh entered the United States remains unclear.

In 2020, he was charged with rape, according to a Pretrial Services report, which summarized Singh’s background and criminal record.

“Counsel’s understanding is those charges were never pursued and were ultimately dismissed,” according to a motion filed by Singh’s attorney.

An immigration judge in San Francisco granted Singh’s request for asylum in October 2023.

The investigation started in September 2024, when two trucks left a Walmart warehouse in Summerville, South Carolina.

Each truck contained more than 900 televisions worth about $130,000.

One was headed to Cullman, Alabama. The other was destined for Douglas, Georgia.

The televisions never arrived.

Walmart, however, received fake “proof of delivery” documents for both shipments, according to criminal complaints filed in the case against Singh.

The Texas Department of Public Safety tracked both trucks to Laredo, where state troopers intercepted one truck and recovered about 900 televisions.

Singh met the other truck at a gas station, where they swapped trailers. After picking up the stolen televisions, Singh headed to Hidalgo County.

The Department of Public Safety arrested Singh the next day, when he delivered the TVs to a warehouse on High Lowe Drive in Hidalgo.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, interviewed Singh about the stolen televisions.

“He had, in his possession, some documents related to other thefts that had also occurred,” Brian Oliveira, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, testified during a hearing in October 2024.

Singh pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property, which is a federal felony.

As part of his plea, Singh admitted that he knew the TVs were stolen and transported them anyway.

Singh returned to court Tuesday wearing a black turban, a red shirt and blue jeans.

Guidelines published by the U.S. Sentencing Commission recommended 12 to 18 months in prison.

His attorney, Rolando David Cantu of McAllen, said a sentence of 12 months or more could jeopardize Singh’s immigration status. To address that, Cantu requested a slightly shorter sentence.

“So we can keep criminals in the country?” asked Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Cook Profit, who prosecuted the case, requested a sentence within the guideline range.

Crane sentenced Singh to 12 months and 1 day in prison. If he isn't deported, Singh must spend another two years on supervised release.