Texas man sentenced to federal prison for role in nationwide paper tag fraud

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A judge has sentenced a Dallas man to more than seven years in federal prison in connection with paper tag fraud.

Daniel Christine-Tani, 35, pleaded guilty to running fake car dealerships in order to print and sell "more than 700,000" Texas temporary buyer tags to people all over the country, over the internet, without actually selling cars, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.

"We were very pleased with the sentencing in this case," said Sgt. Jose Escribano, who helped investigate the case with the Travis County Constable's Office Precinct 3. "We want to give thanks again to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice."

Escribano said the sentence sends "a message pretty loud and clear."

For years, KXAN has investigated widespread fraud tied to Texas paper tags. Authorities say criminals use phony plates to turn getaway vehicles into "ghost cars" in order to avoid detection.

“Through the sale of thousands of fake Texas temporary tags, Christine-Tani and his partners permitted criminals to commit crimes without fearing the consequences,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “This paper tag scheme enabled criminals to use fake Texas buyer tags while perpetrating violent crimes like drive-by shootings and armed robberies. FBI Houston agents proudly worked alongside law enforcement partners across the nation to dismantle this conspiracy which endangered so many American lives.”  

Last year, KXAN reporting helped inspire a new law that will replace paper license plates with metal ones on July 1, 2025.

"If it wasn't for you guys, the media, if you hadn't started what you did," Escribano said, "this never would have gone anywhere."

Escribano cautioned the fraud has "not ended completely, not yet."

"There's a lot of exploitation still going on," he added. "You have to stay vigilant constantly."

As part of his sentence, Christine-Tani must pay the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles $3.4 million in restitution.

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of fugitive Emmanuel Padilla Reyes -- also known as Christian Hernandez Bonilla or Noel Rivera -- who is accused of being connected with this case, the release said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI's online tip form or by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI.