Two Honduran brothers who had been illegally residing in Houston after numerous removals have been found guilty of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and related offences.
The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before convicting Edwin Olivares-Calderon, 51, and Marcos-Olivares Calderon, 42. The seven-day trial included testimony from two confidential informants, 10 law enforcement officials, and approximately 100 exhibits.
Both men were members of the Los Tumbadores rip crew, an armed robbery group of Honduran illegal aliens that focused on targeting drug traffickers, alien smugglers and illegal game room operators.
The jury heard that the Olivares-Calderon brothers attempted to rob approximately 27 kilograms of cocaine between March 11, 2016, and March 21, 2016, first from a tyre shop on Crosstimbers and then from a BMW that had just crossed the U.S.-Mexican border in Hidalgo.
The brothers had been using a tracker to surveil a vehicle that was believed to be transporting cocaine. Law enforcement then identified that vehicle and, on March 19, 2016, recovered 27 kilograms of cocaine from underneath the centre console. Marco Olivares-Calderon and others later attempted to locate the vehicle they believed was loaded with drugs.
Upon the arrest of Marco Olivares-Calderon, authorities discovered a loaded firearm behind the glove compartment in the dashboard of his car.
The defence attempted to convince the jury there was insufficient evidence that they were at the identified locations and, if they were present that they did not plan to engage in any criminal activity. The jury did not believe those claims.
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett presided over the trial and set sentencing for May 22.
At that time, the brothers face up to 20 years for the armed robbery conspiracy. Edwin also faces up to two additional years for illegal reentry after removal, while Marcos could receive up to life imprisonment and 15 years, respectively, for his convictions of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
They will remain in custody pending that hearing.
