ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mike Tomasaour, an Albuquerque man, was convicted by a federal jury after less than 30 minutes of deliberation of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between February and June 2022, Tomasaour sold an undercover detective with the Albuquerque Police Department methamphetamine and fentanyl. Most of the transactions took place at the Court John Motel in Northwest Albuquerque.
On June 28, 2022, DEA agents planned a larger buy from Tomasaour at the motel and then executed a search warrant on the motel room. Agents planned to buy five pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills. Prior to the buy, agents set up surveillance on the motel. While waiting for the agreed upon time, agents observed Robert Grado enter Tomasaour’s motel room with a purple bag. Shortly thereafter, Tomasaour texted the agent that the ‘groceries’ were ready. Agents moved in to make the arrests and execute a search.
A search of Tomasaour’s motel room yielded a loaded firearm, which was stolen, 92.6 grams of methamphetamine, 101 grams of fentanyl, and $760 in cash. During the search, Tomasaour threw the purple bag out the motel room window. The bag contained 2316.4 grams of meth and 278.5 grams of fentanyl. A search of Grado’s vehicle yielded 2 additional guns, 65 grams of fentanyl pills, and 149.5 grams of meth.
The Court ordered that Tomasaour remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Tomasaour faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to a term of life followed by a minimum of 5 years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, made the announcement today.
Grado, who is a separate defendant in this case, pled guilty to 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 on May 9, 2024. At sentencing, Grado faces not less than 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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