KRGV.com

Tagged News

• Racetrack owner guilty of laundering drug money

  May 9, 2013 6:31 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A brother of two top leaders for one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico was convicted Thursday of buying racehorses to hide illegal drug profits. A federal jury that deliberated for about nine hours over two days found Jose Trevino Morales, 46, guilty of conspiracy... more »

• Racetrack owner guilty of laundering drug money

  May 9, 2013 4:56 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A brother of two top leaders for one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico was convicted Thursday of buying racehorses to hide illegal drug profits. A federal jury that deliberated for about nine hours over two days found Jose Trevino Morales, 46, guilty of conspiracy... more »

• Racetrack owner guilty of laundering drug money

  May 9, 2013 4:28 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A brother of two top leaders for one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico was convicted Thursday of buying racehorses to hide illegal drug profits. A federal jury found Jose Trevino Morales, 46, guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Trevino faces up to 20... more »

• Jurors resume deliberations in horse ranch case

  May 9, 2013 10:01 AM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A federal jury is deliberating for a second day in the case against five men charged with using a race horse breeding operation to launder drug cartel money. Jurors continued deliberating Thursday after spending about two hours the day before on a judgment. The deliberations began after... more »

• Jurors resume deliberation in horse ranch case

  May 9, 2013 3:01 AM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A federal jury deliberates for a second day in the case against five men charged with using a race horse breeding operation to launder drug cartel money. Jurors deliberated for about two hours Wednesday afternoon in Austin before recessing for the day. Deliberations began after prosecutors and... more »

• Jurors end 1st day in Texas horse ranch case

  May 8, 2013 6:07 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Jury deliberations have ended for the day in the case against five men charged in a Texas federal court with using a race horse breeding operation to launder drug cartel money. Jurors deliberated for about two hours Wednesday afternoon before recessing for the day. Deliberations began after... more »

• Jury begins deliberating Texas horse ranch case

  May 8, 2013 6:03 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Jury deliberations have ended for the day in the case against five men charged in a Texas federal court with using a race horse breeding operation to launder drug cartel money. Jurors deliberated for about two hours Wednesday afternoon before recessing for the day. Deliberations began after... more »

• Jury begins deliberating Texas horse ranch case

  May 8, 2013 5:19 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Prosecutors told a federal jury on Wednesday that a man they say is the brother of leaders of Mexico's most blood-soaked criminal organization used the proceeds from their brothers' ill-gotten gains to bankroll his horse-racing stable. Defense attorneys, however, say the federal government is trying to squeeze... more »

• Jury begins deliberating Texas horse ranch case

  May 8, 2013 4:58 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Prosecutors told a federal jury on Wednesday that a man they say is the brother of leaders of Mexico's most blood-soaked criminal organization used the proceeds from their brothers' ill-gotten gains to bankroll his horse-racing stable. Defense attorneys, however, say the federal government is trying to squeeze... more »

• Closing arguments begin in Texas horse ranch trial

  May 8, 2013 3:16 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Closing arguments have started in the case against five men charged in a Texas federal court with using a race horse breeding operation to launder cartel drug money. Defense lawyers are giving their closing arguments Wednesday afternoon in Austin. Prosecutors are set to give their rebuttal later... more »

• Closing arguments begin in Texas horse ranch trial

  May 8, 2013 3:06 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Closing arguments have started in the case against five men charged with using an Oklahoma race horse breeding operation to launder cartel drug money. Defense lawyers were giving their closing statements Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Austin. Prosecutors were set to give their rebuttal later Wednesday.... more »

• Closing arguments next in Texas horse ranch trial

  May 8, 2013 7:19 AM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Prosecutors in Texas are wrapping up their case against five men charged with using an Oklahoma race horse breeding operation to launder cartel drug money. Closing arguments are scheduled Wednesday in federal court in Austin. Investigators say the case centers on Jose Trevino Morales, who's a brother... more »

• Witness: Brother of Zetas leader reluctant to join alleged horse-buying scheme

  April 16, 2013 5:09 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A government witness has testified that the brother of Zetas leaders who is charged with money laundering conspiracy was at first reluctant to join an alleged horse-buying scheme. Jose Trevino Morales's trial along with four co-defendants facing the same charge began Tuesday in Austin, Texas. Prosecutors allege... more »

• Family members of alleged cartel leader plead

  March 29, 2013 5:34 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The sister-in-law and niece of the alleged leader of a Mexican drug cartel have pleaded guilty in a money laundering case in Austin. According to their plea agreements Friday, Zulema Trevino Morales and her daughter Alexandra Trevino face up to 20 years and three years in prison,... more »

• Mexican drug cartel's horses sold for $8.8M

  November 5, 2012 5:47 PM

  SAN ANTONIO (AP) The U.S. government says it's made $8.8 million from auctioning more than 300 horses bought and trained as part of a Mexican drug cartel's money-laundering operation. Two-thirds of the horses were sold at an auction Thursday in Oklahoma City. The Justice Department says one, A Dash of... more »

• Horses tied to Mexican drug cartel auctioned in US

  November 1, 2012 5:17 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) More than 300 horses that the U.S. government says were purchased as part of a Mexican drug cartel's money-laundering operation were put up for auction Thursday in Oklahoma City. Some of the 340 quarter horses auctioned at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale were bred from some... more »

• Horses tied to drug cartel auctioned in Oklahoma

  November 1, 2012 2:48 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) More than 300 horses that the federal government says were bought and trained as part of a Mexican drug cartel's money-laundering operation are being auctioned in Oklahoma City. Some of the 340 quarter horses auctioned Thursday at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale were bred from some... more »

• Auction set for horses seized in Zetas drug probe

  October 9, 2012 6:39 AM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A judge has scheduled a November auction for hundreds of horses that prosecutors claim were used to launder profits by the Zetas drug cartel. Prosecutors say 379 horses linked to the alleged conspiracy will be sold at auction Nov. 1-3 at Heritage Place in southwest Oklahoma City.... more »

• Judge: Feds can auction horses in Zetas drug case

  August 6, 2012 5:49 PM

  DALLAS (AP) All but five of the more than 400 horses allegedly used to launder Mexican drug cartel profits will be sold after a handful of horses were falling sick and dying with their owners in federal custody, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Monday. Authorities have accused 15... more »

• Judge: Feds can auction horses in Zetas drug case

  August 6, 2012 3:00 PM

  DALLAS (AP) A federal judge in Texas is allowing prosecutors to sell more than 400 racehorses amid allegations the animals were used to launder profits from a Mexican drug cartel. Fifteen people are charged in the investigation, which centers on the operation of an Oklahoma horse ranch. Among those in... more »

• Judge: Feds can auction horses in Zetas drug case

  August 6, 2012 12:48 PM

  DALLAS (AP) A federal judge in Texas is allowing prosecutors to sell more than 400 racehorses amid allegations the animals were used to launder profits from a Mexican drug cartel. Fifteen people are charged in the investigation, which centers on the operation of an Oklahoma horse ranch. Among those in... more »

• Zetas cartel racehorse case set for October trial

  July 25, 2012 2:50 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Eight people accused of buying and training racehorses to launder drug profits for the powerful Zetas cartel are scheduled to go on trial Oct. 22 in Texas. Austin-based federal Judge Sam Sparks set the date Wednesday and said he expects the case to take two weeks. Prosecutors... more »

• Zetas cartel racehorse case set for October trial

  July 25, 2012 12:48 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Eight men accused of buying and training racehorses to launder drug profits for the powerful Zetas cartel are scheduled to go on trial Oct. 22 in Texas. Austin-based federal Judge Sam Sparks set the date Wednesday and said he expects the case to take two weeks. Prosecutors... more »

• Attorneys update judge on cartel leaders' brother

  July 25, 2012 3:01 AM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Attorneys will update a federal judge on the status of the money laundering case against the brother of two alleged Zetas drug cartel leaders. The conference is scheduled for Wednesday in Austin. Meanwhile, Jose Trevino Morales remains in federal custody as a flight risk pending trial on... more »

• Brother of Zetas cartel leaders held in Texas jail

  July 3, 2012 6:18 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A man accused in an alleged scheme to buy and train racehorses to benefit the Zetas drug cartel was ordered detained Tuesday in Texas after a judge suggested he might flee to Mexico if released. Jose Trevino Morales, the brother of two alleged cartel leaders, is among... more »

• Brother of Zetas cartel leader held in Texas jail

  July 3, 2012 5:18 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The brother of two alleged leaders in the Zetas drug cartel has been ordered detained in Texas while he faces accusations that he was involved in a money laundering scheme centered on an Oklahoma horse ranch. Jose Trevino Morales pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a federal money... more »

• Judge: Man in horse case can be released on bond

  June 22, 2012 12:28 PM

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) A 20-year-old man accused of bidding at racehorse auctions on behalf of Mexican drug lords is set to be released on bond after a federal judge ruled the evidence against him was not enough to warrant his detention. Raul Ramirez was indicted for bidding on behalf... more »

• Man accused of laundering drug money to ask bail

  June 22, 2012 3:01 AM

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) A man accused of bidding at racehorse auctions on behalf of Mexican drug lords will appear before a federal judge for his detention hearing Friday Raul Ramirez is accused of participating in a money-laundering scheme to buy racehorses worth millions of dollars on behalf of Francisco... more »

• Bond denied man accused of buying horses for gang

  June 21, 2012 4:11 PM

  HOUSTON (AP) A man accused of acting as a straw purchaser of racehorses in a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel will remain behind bars. Francisco Antonio Colorado Cessa remains jailed after U.S. Magistrate George Hank denied him bond after a detention hearing Thursday in Houston. Colorado... more »

• Bond denied man accused of buying horses for gang

  June 21, 2012 4:10 PM

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) A man accused of acting as a straw purchaser of racehorses in a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel will remain behind bars. Francisco Antonio Colorado Cessa remains jailed after U.S. Magistrate George Hank denied him bond after a detention hearing Thursday in... more »

• Purchaser of racehorses for drug gang due in court

  June 21, 2012 3:02 AM

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) A man accused of acting as a straw purchaser of racehorses in a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel is due in federal court in Houston for a detention hearing. A federal affidavit says Francisco Antonio Colorado Cessa is accused of buying millions... more »

• Texas horse trainer in Zetas case released on bond

  June 19, 2012 8:25 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas horse trainer charged with conspiring to launder money for Mexico's powerful Zetas drug cartel has been released on bond, his attorney said Tuesday. Eusevio Maldonado-Huitron was freed from federal custody Tuesday, said Assistant Federal Public Defender Jose Gonzalez-Falla. He declined to discuss the bond conditions,... more »

• Texas horse trainer in Zetas case released on bond

  June 19, 2012 1:10 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An attorney says a Texas horse trainer charged with conspiring to launder money for Mexico's powerful Zetas drug cartel has been released on bond. Assistant Federal Public Defender Jose Gonzalez-Falla (Fy'-uh) says Eusevio Maldonado Huitron (ew-SAY'-vee-oh mayl'-don-ah-DOH' wee-tree-OHN') was freed from federal custody Tuesday. Gonzalez-Falla declined to... more »

• Alleged Zeta horse trainer wins release order

  June 18, 2012 8:47 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A federal judge ruled Monday that a Texas horse trainer charged with conspiring to launder money for Mexico's powerful Zetas drug cartel should be released on bail, rejecting the prosecution's argument that the threat of cartel reprisals against him was so severe it could harm the surrounding... more »

• Alleged Zeta horse trainer held despite bail order

  June 18, 2012 2:19 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas judge ruled a horse trainer charged with conspiring to launder money for Mexico's feared Zetas drug cartel should be released on bond. But Eusevio Maldonado Huitron (ew-SAY'-vee-oh mayl'-don-ah-DOH' wee-tree-OHN') will remain in custody while federal prosecutors appeal the decision Monday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andy... more »

• Horse trainer in alleged Zetas plot requests bail

  June 18, 2012 12:47 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas horse trainer who the FBI says could be targeted by a ruthless drug cartel if released from custody is asking to be released on bond. Eusevio Maldonado Huitron (ew-SAY'-vee-oh mayl'-don-ah-DOH' wee-tree-OHN') is charged with conspiring to launder money for the Zetas drug cartel. The 48-year-old... more »

• Horse trainer in alleged Zetas plot requests bail

  June 18, 2012 12:29 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas horse trainer who the FBI says could be targeted by a ruthless drug cartel if released from custody is asking to be released on bond. Eusevio Maldonado Huitron is charged with conspiring to launder money for the Zetas drug cartel. The 48-year-old was arrested last... more »

• Horse trainer in alleged Zetas plot back in court

  June 18, 2012 11:57 AM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas horse trainer who the FBI says could be targeted by a ruthless drug cartel if released from custody is requesting to be released on bond. Eusevio Maldonado Huitron is charged with conspiring to launder money for the Zetas drug cartel. The 48-year-old was arrested last... more »

• Horse trainer in alleged Zetas plot back in court

  June 18, 2012 2:31 AM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas horse trainer who the FBI says could be targeted by a ruthless drug cartel if released from custody is expected to request his freedom. Eusevio Maldonado Huitron is due back in an Austin federal court Monday on charges of conspiring to launder money for the... more »

• Cartel money laundering cases tough but critical

  June 16, 2012 3:16 PM

  McALLEN, Texas (AP) When it comes to arresting drug traffickers and dismantling organized crime, the investigation into a U.S. horse racing operation allegedly laundering money for one of Mexico's most powerful cartels is rare and difficult to prosecute. Unlike most drug busts, the backbone of sophisticated money laundering cases is... more »

• Cartel money laundering cases tough but critical

  June 16, 2012 1:05 PM

  McALLEN, Texas (AP) When it comes to arresting drug traffickers and dismantling organized crime, the investigation into a U.S. horse racing operation allegedly laundering money for one of Mexico's most powerful cartels is rare and difficult to prosecute. Unlike most drug busts, the backbone of sophisticated money laundering cases is... more »

• Cartel money laundering cases tough but critical

  June 16, 2012 1:03 PM

  McALLEN, Texas (AP) When it comes to arresting drug traffickers and dismantling organized crime, the investigation into a U.S. horse racing operation allegedly laundering money for one of Mexico's most powerful cartels is rare and difficult to prosecute. The cases require financial expertise and sometimes years to trace the drug... more »

• Government forced to take abandoned cartel horses

  June 15, 2012 6:17 PM

  McALLEN, Texas (AP) Federal agents were forced to seize a dozen horses in New Mexico that are part of a racing operation allegedly laundering money for one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels, after their trainers refused to continue caring for them, prosecutors said in court documents filed Friday. Prosecutors... more »

• Government forced to take abandoned cartel horses

  June 15, 2012 4:45 PM

  McALLEN, Texas (AP) Federal agents have been forced to seize a dozen horses in New Mexico that are part of a racing operation allegedly laundering money for one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels, after their trainers refused to continue caring for them. Prosecutors said in court documents filed Friday... more »

• Horse trainer faces hearing in Mexican cartel case

  June 15, 2012 9:02 AM

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) Prosecutors say a horse trainer will be the first of seven people who are charged in an alleged Mexican drug cartel money laundering scheme to appear in federal court. Forty-eight-year-old Eusevio Maldonado Huitron will appear Friday before a judge in Austin, where he was arrested in... more »

• Horse trainer to attend hearing in drug money case

  June 15, 2012 3:01 AM

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) Federal prosecutors in El Paso say the first of seven people arrested and charged in an alleged money laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel appears before a federal judge in Austin on Friday. The 48-year-old horse trainer Eusevio Maldonado Huitron was arrested in Austin in... more »

• Okla. horse ranch in cartel case raised suspicions

  June 13, 2012 7:17 PM

  LEXINGTON, Okla. (AP) If associates of a reputed Mexican drug cartel leader had wanted to lay low while laundering money at an American horse ranch, they seemed to do everything wrong. They swept their fields at night with a giant spotlight, threw around lots of cash, bought parcels of land... more »

• Feds: Horse racing operation tied to drug cartel

  June 13, 2012 8:12 AM

  RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) In the stables at a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico, workers quietly nicknamed Jose Trevino Morales's stables as the "Zetas' stables" and say they often saw people show up with bags of cash to buy the horses. On Tuesday, authorities raided those stables and a... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 10:02 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) In the stables at a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico, workers quietly nicknamed Jose Trevino Morales's stables as the "Zetas' stables" and say they often saw people show up with bags of cash to buy the horses. On Tuesday, authorities raided those stables and a... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 9:23 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) In the stables at a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico, workers quietly nicknamed Jose Trevino Morales's stables as the "Zetas' stables" and say they often saw people show up with bags of cash to buy the horses. On Tuesday, authorities raided those stables and a... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 6:30 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling ranch in Oklahoma and a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico on Tuesday, alleging the brother of a high-ranking official in a Mexican drug cartel used a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales,... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 5:44 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling ranch in Oklahoma and a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico on Tuesday, alleging the brother of a high-ranking official in a Mexican drug cartel used a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales,... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 5:26 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling ranch in Oklahoma and a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico on Tuesday, alleging the brother of a high-ranking official in a Mexican drug cartel used a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales,... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 4:44 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling Oklahoma ranch and famed New Mexico quarter horse track on Tuesday and accused the brother of a high-ranking Mexican drug cartel official of using a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, a key figure... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 4:33 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling ranch in Oklahoma and a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico on Tuesday, alleging the brother of a high-ranking official in a Mexican drug cartel used a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales,... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 4:02 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling ranch in Oklahoma and a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico on Tuesday, alleging the brother of a high-ranking official in a Mexican drug cartel used a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales,... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 4:01 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal agents raided a sprawling ranch in Oklahoma and a prominent quarter horse track in New Mexico on Tuesday, alleging the brother of a high-ranking official in a Mexican drug cartel used a horse-breeding operation to launder money. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales,... more »

• Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash

  June 12, 2012 3:38 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal prosecutors say they have broken up a major money-laundering operation at an Oklahoma ranch and a New Mexico quarter-horse race track connected to one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. An indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges a key member of a Mexican drug ring laundered money through... more »

• Authorities raid Oklahoma ranch, NM horse track

  June 12, 2012 2:57 PM

  RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (AP) Authorities say a ranch in Oklahoma and a race track in New Mexico have been raided by federal authorities. Ruidoso Downs, N.M., Police Chief Doug Babcock said that agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the New Mexico track Tuesday morning to serve an arrest... more »