Mexican Mafia gang member sentenced 25 years in prison for drug trafficking, firearms-related offenses following HSI Corpus Christi investigation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A local gang member who supplied drugs to the Mexican Mafia was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison Oct. 17, for drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses, following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Manuel Moya, 28, was sentenced in the Southern District of Texas to 25 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Moya was convicted on July 27 of possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

On April 22, authorities executed a search warrant at Moya’s residence, at which time they discovered approximately 11.2 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of meth, 3 kilograms of marijuana and over $120,000. They also found other controlled substances such as psilocybin mushrooms, crack cocaine, synthetic cannabinoid, THC oil/wax and MDMA. The value of the cocaine and meth retrieved exceeded $774,000 and $72,000, respectively. At the time of the search, Moya was the only person present at the location.

Law enforcement also found a Century Arms Inc. pistol, Ruger rifle, two Taurus pistols, three Glock pistols, a JTS Group shotgun, body armor, high-capacity magazines, and several rounds of ammunition. Two of the firearms contained chambered rounds. Moya took responsibility for the weapons and ammunition.

In addition, law enforcement discovered several ledgers that documented Moya’s controlled substance distribution activities and a notebook with instructions on how to make drugs. Other items found in the search included glassware with residue of controlled substances, bags, equipment for vacuum sealing, weight scales, small sandwich bags, money counters, and razor blades.

The investigation revealed that Moya, a local Mexican Mafia gang member and drug supplier, distributed illicit drugs on both an individual and large-scale basis.

Moya had previously been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cocaine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

Moya will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined soon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.

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