This week, police arrested a man in connection with a scheme to steal oilfield equipment in New Mexico, according to the Lea County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
On Monday, June 9, 2025, Jonathan Allen Stamper, 41, owner of Stampede Lift Solutions, was arrested in Norman, Oklahoma on charges out of Lea County, New Mexico, including:
- 5 counts of Larceny over $20,000 (2nd Degree Felony)
- 1 count of Conspiracy (3rd Degree Felony)
- 5 counts of Criminal Damage to Property (4th Degree Felony)
On June 12, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office added the following charges:
- 6 counts of Larceny over $20,000 (2nd Degree Felony)
- 1 count of Conspiracy (3rd Degree Felony)
- 6 counts of Criminal Damage to Property (4th Degree Felony)
On November 14, 2024, an investigation was launched after Saguaro Petroleum reported that five pumpjacks had been stolen from federal well sites, halting oil production, resulting in more than $1 million in losses. Additionally, Southwest Royalties Inc. reported the theft of six pumpjacks from the same field in Eddy County, with an estimated loss exceeding $1 million.
A multi-agency task force was formed, and the stolen oilfield equipment was tracked across state lines.
Investigators say that Stamper “orchestrated the transport of the stolen pumpjacks under false pretenses. Using 7C Logistic Services, LLC, Stamper arranged for Triple Express Trucking to move eleven stolen pumpjacks. Nine units were sold to Tim Snelson’s Pumping Unit in Midland, Texas, and two were delivered to Stampede Lift Solutions in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Transport vehicles bearing the name “Stampede” had makeshift signage taped to the doors.”
“The fraudulent activity resulted in more than $800,000 in losses to the transportation and broker services involved—an impact that unfortunately led to one business being forced to close. Thanks to the cooperation and detailed information provided by these victims, authorities recovered nine out of the eleven stolen pumpjacks,” LCSO said.
The value of the recovered stolen equipment is estimated at around $2 million, police say.
Investigators identified the following companies as victims in the scheme:
- 7C Logistic Services, LLC
- Triple Express Trucking
- Tim Snelson’s Pumping Unit
- Saguaro Petroleum
- Southwest Royalties Inc.
The investigation remains active.
If you have information, you’re asked to contact Investigator Fleetwood at 575-263-7403 or the Lea County Sheriff’s Office at 575-396-3611.
