AUSTIN — For over three weeks, federal prosecutors presented evidence to a Central Texas jury trying to convince them that five men were part of a conspiracy to launder money for the Zeta drug cartel using the quarter horse racing industry. Witnesses testified about bribery, extortion, and millions of dollars flowing through various entities and bank accounts. It was enough for the jury to find the men guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Except for one of them. While Jose Trevino Morales, Francisco Colorado Cessa, Fernando Garcia, and Eusevio Huitron were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering, Brent Mayr managed to convince the jury to find his client, Jesus Maldonado Huitron, not guilty.
“This accusation destroyed my client’s life,” said Mayr after the trial. “The jury did the right thing and, just as my client built himself into one of the top Austin-area home builders, he will build himself back up again.”
While the jury heard from scores of individuals affiliated with both the Zeta drug cartel and the American Quarter Horse racing industry, Mayr effectively distanced his client from both. He also cast substantial doubt on the Government’s evidence showing that his client was structuring deposits into his account on behalf of various horse owners.
More coverage of the verdict and case can be found here:
Austin American-Statesman
Houston Chronicle
Brent Mayr is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and represents individuals under investigation for and charged with criminal offenses in both state and federal court.
