United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS METHAMPHETAMINE
TRAFFICKING RING LEADER OPERATING IN RURAL WEST TEXAS

LUBBOCK, Texas — A leader of a methamphetamine-trafficking organization operating in the Coleman County area was convicted early Thursday following a three-day trial, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Larry Ray Moon, Jr., 34, was convicted on all four counts of a superseding indictment, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and maintaining drug-involved premises. U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a pre-sentence investigation with sentencing to be scheduled after that investigation is completed. Moon faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison as to counts one and two of the superseding indictment and up to 20 years in prison on counts four and five of the superseding indictment.

The government presented evidence at trial that beginning in April 2004, Moon conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Moon was arrested on May 25, 2005, with approximately one pound of methamphetamine in Arlington, Texas, during an undercover operation conducted by the Tarrant County Narcotics Unit. During the majority of the period of the conspiracy, Moon based his methamphetamine trafficking operation at 2298 County Road 102, Santa Anna, Texas. There, Moon operated a 270-acre ranch in an isolated area of Coleman County, Texas. Testimony at trial showed that Moon would obtain large quantities of methamphetamine from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and transport it back to his ranch in Coleman County. There, Moon would break the methamphetamine down into smaller quantities for distribution by Moon’s co-conspirators. Testimony at trial showed that Moon had distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine to each of five separate mid-level distributors.

Moon still faces pending state charges for Sexual Assault of a Child out of Coleman County, Texas, and Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child out of Dallas County, Texas.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the excellent investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force, the Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, the Abilene Police Department, the Coleman County Sheriff’s Office, the Coleman Police Department, and the Santa Anna Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey R. Haag and Cody L. Skipper of the Lubbock, Texas, U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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