Illinois Freight Ransom Ring

Nearly two dozen freight brokers claim that Agility Express Inc., an Illinois trucking company, and its network of affiliated carriers targeted their businesses just before the Fourth of July holiday, holding 36 confirmed loads hostage for ransom.

This number could rise to around 50, with an estimated total value of $5 million. The brokers report that their attempts to involve law enforcement were met with responses indicating these incidents were seen as civil disputes.

What's going on:

• Target and Allegations: Agility Express Inc. of Mundelein, Illinois, and its network of over 24 carriers are accused of orchestrating the scheme. Agility Express was incorporated in September 2017 and recently updated its business filing, listing Adriana Havryliuk as the registered agent.
  
  
• Debt Collection Claims: Agility claims that the brokers short-paid motor carriers for loads or deducted fees for various reasons. The alleged unpaid debts range from a few hundred dollars to $9,000, some dating back to 2019. Brokers found records of unpaid fees but maintain that carriers were aware of their policies.

• Vetting Challenges: An executive reported thorough vetting of Agility, yet no red flags appeared. This highlights the difficulty in identifying problem carriers, even with major vetting tools. Brokers are struggling with the decision to pay ransoms or risk losing their freight.
  
  
• Settlement Agreements: Brokers who agreed to pay were forced to sign settlement agreements stating the disputes were civil and waiving the right to file insurance claims or report Agility to industry watchdogs.
  
  
• Historical Precedent: A year ago, around the Fourth of July holiday, freight brokers reported a similar scheme involving One Step Logistics Inc. of Chicago, another affiliate of Agility Express. One Step Logistics obtained its common carrier authority in 2021, initially stating it had one driver and one power unit. However, on June 30, 2023, the company updated its MCS-150 form to reflect 25 drivers and 25 power units. Its common carrier authority was involuntarily revoked in August 2023, according to FMCSA data.

Agility Express Inc. was incorporated in September 2017 by Siarhei Kutsko, who is listed as the president. The company updated its business filing in early July 2024, naming Adriana Havryliuk as the new registered agent.

The company's MCS-150 form, updated on June 24, 2024, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, states that it has five drivers and five power units.

This is a significant increase from previous filings, which listed only one driver and one tractor. Recently, Havryliuk was spotted on Facebook attempting to purchase active MC numbers, further raising suspicions about the company's activities.

This was first reported on by The Bannon Report & FreightCaviar.