ST. LOUIS – A chop shop operator appeared in federal court Monday and admitted aiding car thieves connected to a St. Louis gang.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Jorge Alberto Luviano-Martinez, 41, admitted running an illegal business in the 2900 block of Cass Avenue where stolen cars could be scrapped or altered.

According to court documents, members of the Big 5 gang discussed obtaining electronic keys from Luviano-Martinez to be used on stolen vehicles, and switching VIN numbers on other stolen cars.

On June 10, 2024, investigators with St. Louis City and County police, along with the FBI and members of ICE, conducted a court-approved search of the chop shop. Investigators found eight stolen vehicles. One vehicle had its VIN number removed and another had its VIN replaced with a new number.

Before the search warrant was served, law enforcement saw Luviano-Martinez leave the garage in a stolen Jeep. Police attempted a traffic stop, but Luviano-Martinez fled. He drove down a dead end street trying to escape police. After realizing he was stuck, Luviano-Martinez scaled a fence to run on foot, but he was arrested.

Luviano-Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of operating a chop shop. He’ll be sentenced in August and faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.