Trial in drug trafficking case set to begin today

TEXARKANA, Texas -Jury selection and trial are scheduled to begin today at the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana for a New Boston man accused in a major drug trafficking operation.

Armando Moya, 47, is charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin, cocaine and fentanyl from Mexico into the United States and with carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Moya turned down an offer from the government that could have meant more than 26 years in federal prison. He faces 35 years to life in prison if found guilty by a jury this week.

Should the jury convict Moya, he will not be immediately sentenced. Typically the court will order a presentence investigation, which includes a recommendation for punishment under federal sentencing guidelines. Factors considered in determining where a defendant falls in federal guidelines are the current offense and prior criminal convictions.

Moya came to the attention of authorities in June 2018 following the arrest of his brother, Jose Moya, in South Texas. A search of Armando Moya's home in New Boston led to the discovery of a box of cash stashed in his bedroom closet and a firearm. Armando Moya allegedly confessed that night to moving currency and drugs to various locations in the United States.

A third man, Oscar Alan Chavez-Belman, has pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing. According to a factual basis document filed at the time of his plea hearing in July, Chavez-Belman was "personally responsible for more than ninety kilograms of heroin, nine kilograms of fentanyl, and five kilograms of cocaine."

The factual basis details trips Chavez-Belman claims he made with Armando Moya as part of the trafficking operation to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and South Carolina. According to the factual basis, Armando Moya recruited Chavez-Belman as a driver in 2017.

In addition to prison time, the government is seeking Armando Moya's forfeiture of nearly $200,000 found in his closet and a multi-million judgment against him meant to represent his proceeds in the illicit business.

Armando Moya is currently free on bond. He is represented by Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Hornok, Alan Jackson and Ryan Locker are listed as prosecutors in the case. Presiding over the case is U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III.

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