(WNY News Now) – Two Pittsford men have pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the interstate transportation of stolen used cooking oil from Western New York to a Pennsylvania refinery.

Guodeng Chen and Didi Huang, both of Pittsford, pleaded guilty to transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Federal prosecutors said the charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

According to court proceedings, Chen and Huang arranged for 45,000 pounds of stolen used cooking oil to be transported from Western New York to a refinery in Erie, Pennsylvania, on April 8, 2022. They received $29,433.60 from that shipment.

A second shipment involving another 45,000 pounds of stolen used cooking oil was sent to the same refinery on April 28, 2022. Prosecutors said the men received $30,618 for the shipment.

Authorities said Chen and Huang knew there was a high probability the cooking oil had been stolen.

The case was investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire is prosecuting the case.

Chen is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. Huang is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 15, 2026, at 3 p.m. Both sentencings will be held before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr.