Merced County Man Sentenced To Over 10 Years For Operating Chop Shop and Identity Theft
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — A man in Merced County has been sentenced to more than 10 years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges related to operating a chop shop, identity theft and tax evasion.
On Thursday, Carl Joseph Means pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate a chop shop, four counts of identity theft and six counts of failing to file state income tax returns. He was sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in state prison. According to investigators, Means was running an illegal operation that dismantled and sold stolen vehicles and vehicle parts.
Read the entire news article. KMPH-Fox 26 News, by Adjoa Aikins, November 6, 2025