MIDLAND, Texas -- Misuse of a company’s fuel credit card more than 70 times has led to prison for a West Texas man. Prosecutors in Midland say a federal judge sentenced 45-year-old David Valenzuela (val-en-ZWAY’-luh) of McCamey to one year in prison. The case involved fraudulent use of a Basic Energy Services fuel credit card during 2008. Valenzuela, who also must pay $48,000 restitution, pleaded guilty in August to access device fraud. He was sentenced Wednesday. Prosecutors say Valenzuela, while working for Basic Energy, made about 75 unauthorized charges to a company fuel card number issued to him. He allowed third parties to pay him cash, in exchange for using the card to purchase diesel fuel.
