A 46-year-old man faces up to life in prison after a federal jury convicted him of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Eduardo Nevares was convicted Oct. 8 after a two-day trial and approximately two hours of jury deliberations, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The case began when law enforcement attempted to stop Nevares for an expired vehicle registration. Investigators said he refused to stop and led authorities on a chase that ended when he crashed through two chain-link fences and his vehicle stalled on a baseball field at an Alief public school.
Nevares then tried to run away on foot but was apprehended, according to prosecutors.
Authorities found a .45-caliber pistol on the driver’s seat, along with methamphetamine and cocaine in Nevares’ pocket. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered more than a pound of methamphetamine with a reported purity level of 96%, as well as baggies, a scale and loaded pistol magazines.
During the trial, the defense argued Nevares did not know methamphetamine was inside a black duffle bag in the back seat. The jury rejected that argument and found him guilty on both charges.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner presided over the trial and scheduled Nevares’ sentencing for Dec. 29. He remains in custody pending sentencing.
Nevares faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $10 million.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Houston Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Hagerman and Tanja Titre are prosecuting the case.
