The government rested its case against drug defendant Mark Mayo but not before presenting evidence contradicting his claims that he didn’t know the package contained methamphetamine.
US Prosecutor Laura Sambataro called FBI agent Rafael Fernandez to the stand before playing a recording of an interview conducted with Mark Mayo as the subject.
In that recorded interview, Mayo told Agent Fernandez and US Postal Inspector Richard Tracey just how involved he was with Lovelia Mendoza’s drug operation.
Mayo stated that he would get grams of methamphetamine from Mendoza, sell it, and bring back the money to her. But when accusations came that he and Daniel Pangelinan stole the package of drugs, Mendoza cut him off.
Mayo shared with authorities that Mendoza had connections with former Yona Mayor Jesse Blas and would use that connection to pay off someone at the court to have warrants removed.
Mayo says Mendoza got rid of two warrants under his name for roughly $2500.
Agent Fernandez and Inspector Tracey also questioned Mayo, about the package seized on May 10, 2018. At first, Mayo stated that he didn’t know what the package contained.
But after continued prodding by the federal authorities Mayo stated, “I’m pretty sure it was meth.”
Prior to introduction of this evidence, defense attorney Rawlen Mantanona had Mendoza point out that she never stated that she told Mayo what the package contained.
Following Agent Fernandez’s testimony, the prosecution rested its case.
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