Jovita's owner dies two weeks before trial was to start

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Amado Pardo, the owner of Jovita's restaurant who was facing federal drugs and weapons charges, died Wednesday while in hospice care, his lawyer said.

His trial was set to start Feb. 11.

“This is a great loss," said attorney Ben Florey. "He did a lot of good things for the community.”

Amado Pardo and his wife, Amanda Pardo, were among those taken into custody after a raid at the restaurant on South First Street and at nearby residences in the early morning hours of June 21.

• Photos of suspects in Jovita's raid

The Pardos were among 18 people rounded up by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on drug and weapons charges. The trial date applies to the 15 suspects facing federal charges.

The raid was part of an investigation at 1619 S. First St. and a house in the 400 block of Milton Street. Eight other locations were also raided, police said. In all, police seized $1.5 million in assets, including the restaurant, weapons, vehicles and cash.

The FBI, Austin police, the Travis County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety were among the agencies participating in the roundup they called  "Operation Muerte Negra."

"The investigation focused on the dismantling of the local cell of the Texas Syndicate prison gang," the Austin Police Department said in a news release at the time.

Amanda Pardo this month pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. She has not yet been sentenced.