PLANO, Texas – A Nicaraguan national has been extradited from Honduras to the United States to face drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston announced today.
Raduan Omar Zamora Mayorga, also known as Jose Luis Oliva Meza and “El señor de los cielos” and “patrón de patrones” (in English “lord of the sky” and “boss of bosses”), 41, of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, federal grand On June 10, 2020, a jury indicted him on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine knowing it would be imported into the United States and manufacturing and distributing cocaine knowing it would be distributed in the United States. On May 15, 2022, Zamora Mayorga was arrested in Honduras pursuant to a United States provisional arrest warrant, and was subsequently extradited to the United States on August 18, 2022. He appeared in federal court in Plano, Texas on August 22, 2022, for his first appearance. appearance and trial, and he was remanded in custody until trial.
According to the indictment, around 2008, an investigation by US law enforcement identified a large drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating throughout South, Central and North America. The DTO used a sophisticated infrastructure to manufacture, procure, store, transport and distribute multi-ton quantities of cocaine destined for the United States. He used speedboats, ships, submarines, airplanes, semi-trailer trucks and other motor vehicles to transport large shipments of cocaine. The cocaine would come from Colombia and Ecuador, where it is produced, processed and packaged in clandestine drug laboratories. The drugs would then be transported to and through Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico on their way north. Parts of the cocaine shipments were ultimately imported into the United States for further distribution. Drug proceeds were transported from the United States back to and through the countries listed above.
Information obtained from confidential sources and law enforcement authorities indicated that Zamora Mayorga was an important DTO member operating out of Honduras who allegedly conspired with other DTO members to procure and transport large shipments of cocaine. Zamora Mayorga allegedly supplied large quantities of cocaine in Guatemala and elsewhere on behalf of the DTO. According to the indictment, Zamora Mayorga used his own transportation network to smuggle cocaine shipments from Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala for onward distribution to the United States. Zamora Mayorga and his co-conspirators are responsible for importing thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States.
If convicted, Zamora Mayorga faces 10 years to life in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine each sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This prosecution is part of an investigation by the Organized Crime and Drugs Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-led, multi-agency approach that leverages the strength of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks .
This case is being investigated by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Ernest Gonzalez.
The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Honduras to secure Zamora Mayorga’s arrest and extradition to the United States. Special thanks to the Government of Honduras for their assistance in the capture and extradition of Zamora Mayorga.
An indictment is not proof of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Check the federal court dockets. Check the nearest federal courthouse. The clerk’s office there should keep all the indictment records. There should be a terminal in the office where your attorney can search by suspect or party name.
WHO issues an indictment?
The indictment is usually drawn up by the State Prosecutor’s Office. If there is more than one defendant, the order in which the names of the defendants are listed on the indictment is the responsibility of the prosecutor, who has discretion regarding that order.
Who brings the charges? The prosecutor will be a strong advocate to convince them to indict, but the weight of the evidence presented should influence the members of the jury to qualify for their decision to indict or not. Read also : What does the US need in its South Pacific strategy?.
What is the purpose of using an indictment?
The indictment enables state criminal prosecution of the suspect for the criminal acts charged in the indictment. During the indictment process, the grand jury determines that there is an adequate basis for filing criminal charges against the suspected perpetrator.
What does a DOJ indictment mean?
A grand jury indictment is the official indictment instrument used by the US Department of Justice to bring federal criminal charges against a defendant. This may interest you : President Biden Announces Three New Nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys, One to serve as U.S. Marshal. Before federal prosecutors can file charges, they must present their case to a grand jury.
Who is responsible for issuing an indictment quizlet?
If the jury believes that there is sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed, it will issue an indictment. On the same subject : The United States is looking for alternatives to Chinese cobalt.
How long does a felony case take in Texas?
trial. According to Texas criminal procedure, a trial will begin within 180 days of an arrest. You and your attorney will have the opportunity to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution before trial. A plea bargain may allow you to plead guilty to lesser charges, reducing your sentence.
How long can a criminal case be pending in Texas? Current waiting periods are 180 days for Class C misdemeanors, one year for Class A and B misdemeanors, and three years for felonies. After a certain waiting period has passed, a person can submit a request for deletion.
How long after being charged does it take to go to court in Texas?
For misdemeanors, a PC hearing must be held within 24 hours. For felonies, a PC hearing must be held within 48 hours.
How long does it take for a criminal case to go to trial in Texas?
In federal court, it is fairly routine to have a case set for trial within 12-18 months of filing. In state courts, however, the time it takes to get to trial can vary greatly from county to county.
How do you know if you are under federal investigation?
Probably the second most common way people find out they are under federal investigation is when the police execute a search warrant at a person’s home or office. If the police enter your home and issue a search warrant, know that you are under investigation.
How do I know if I’m under federal investigation? The most common signs that you are under investigation include talking to friends, unusual employee behavior, and even an investigator leaving a business card at your door. Often, if the DOJ or FBI brings you under their investigative ‘clutches’, they may not confirm that you are a target.
What triggers a federal investigation?
Federal law enforcement agencies will only investigate a crime if there is reason to believe that the crime violated federal law. Second: The nature of the federal offense may determine which agency will undertake the investigation. Not every federal law enforcement agency is responsible for investigating every crime.
How long can the feds investigate you?
Statute of Limitations in Federal Crime Cases For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years. Bank fraud has a ten-year statute of limitations. Immigration violations and arson are also subject to a ten-year statute of limitations.
What happens after an indictment?
What happens after you are charged? After a grand jury indicts you, you will either be brought before a judge or a warrant will be issued for your arrest if you are not in custody. At your arraignment, the judge will read the indictment.
Is an indictment worse than an accusation? To be charged with a crime means that the prosecutor has filed an indictment. An indictment means that a grand jury has indicted the defendant. Regardless of how the state proceeds with the indictment, the results are the same for the defendant: arrest and formal charges.
How long after indictment is trial in GA?
After prosecutors file charges in federal court, the case must go to trial within 70 days. (By agreement of both parties, this time frame is routinely extended.)
What happens after indictment in NJ?
If the grand jury returns an indictment, the court will usually issue an arrest warrant, ordering the police to arrest the named defendant. In some cases, prosecutors may request a summons stating the date by which the defendant must appear in court to be formally arrested and charged.
