G. F. Peterman, III, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced the conviction today of Jose Alberto Sandoval Moya of Douglas, Coffee County, Georgia of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine weighing more than 50 grams. The verdict was returned in United States District Court in Albany, Georgia, before the Honorable W. Louis Sands, Senior United States District Judge. This conviction exposes Sandoval Moya to a potential range of sentence of a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years up a maximum possible term of imprisonment of life.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Sandoval Moya conspired together with Raymond Riviera Cortez, also of Douglas, Georgia, and Corrinne Gillis of Fitzgerald, Georgia, to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The evidence further revealed that Sandoval Moya arranged for Gillis to travel to Mexico on three occasions to bring methamphetamine to South Georgia for distribution. The conspiracy concluded when Gillis was arrested at the US/Mexico Border at the Matamoros, Mexico/Brownsville, Texas crossing in possession of over 17 kilograms (over 43 pounds) of 100% pure methamphetamine, the largest seizure ever made at that point of entry into this country. The drug had been hidden in the tires of the vehicle in order to smuggle it past authorities at the border. Each tire contained between 10 and 12 pounds of methamphetamine.
Sentencing for Mr. Moya should take place in approximately 60 days.
“The quantity of this seizure and the testimony at trial regarding the smuggling of other amounts on previous occasions show that Mr. Moya was without doubt a major source of methamphetamine in South Georgia. This conviction will remove a substantial supplier from the illegal drug stream in our state,” said Acting United States Attorney G. F. “Pete” Peterman, III.
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Sylvester Regional Office, the Sheriff’s Offices of Ben Hill and Coffee County, Georgia and by Department of Homeland Security. It was prosecuted by AUSA Leah McEwen.
Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603.
