CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury sitting in Corpus Christi has convicted a 30-year-old Alice man for conspiring to distribute narcotics through the mail, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for more than two hours before convicting Rudolph Balboa on three counts of conspiring to use a communication facility to distribute THC products following a three-day trial.
At trial, the jury heard testimony from law enforcement that Balboa abused his position as a mailman to make illicit deliveries of narcotics between August 2019 and January 2020. Balboa carried out the scheme with the help of two co-conspirators, both of whom testified against Balboa at trial.
The jury also heard from postal inspectors and special agents who had performed a search of some of the packages and discovered THC products in them. They also testified how they conducted surveillance on Balboa and recorded him making deliveries at locations other than those addressed on the packages.
At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury Balboa had no idea what was inside the packages. However, the jury viewed video evidence and heard Balboa had previously confessed to the scheme. They also viewed text messages from Balboa’s cellphone confirming some of the deliveries.
The jury ultimately did not believe Balboa’s testimony and ultimately found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over trial and set sentencing for Aug. 31. At that time, Balboa faces up to four years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Liesel Roscher are prosecuting the case.