Last week, a federal jury convicted a man from Albuquerque in less than 30 minutes of deliberation, as reported by The Center Square.
On June 6, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico announced that Mike Tomasaour was found guilty of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon by the jury.
During the period between February and June 2022, it was discovered that Tomassaour had sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to an undercover detective from the Albuquerque Police Department. The sales took place primarily at the Court John Motel located in Northwest Albuquerque.
On June 28, 2022, Tomasaour was scheduled to make a bigger sale to DEA agents. However, the agents subsequently carried out a search warrant on his motel room.
The agents were tasked with purchasing approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills and five pounds of methamphetamine.
Agents conducted surveillance around the motel prior to the purchase and observed Robert Grado entering Tomasaour’s motel room with a purple bag.
Tomasaour informed the agent that the “groceries” were ready via text message, following which the agents proceeded to execute their search warrant.
During their search, the agents discovered a loaded firearm that had been reported stolen, along with 92.6 grams of methamphetamine, 101 grams of fentanyl, and $760 in cash.
During the search, a purple bag was thrown out of the motel room window by Tomasaour. The bag was found to contain 2316 grams of meth and 278 grams of fentanyl. In addition, two more guns, 65 grams of fentanyl pills, and 149 grams of meth were discovered in Grado’s vehicle during the law enforcement search.
Tomasaour has been ordered by the Court to remain in custody until sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.
Tomasaour could potentially spend 15 years in prison or even receive a life sentence, with an additional five years of supervised release.
According to a release, Grado admitted his involvement in a range of criminal activities including conspiracy, aiding and abetting, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The plea was entered on May 9.
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