Jovita suspects to appear in court

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The owner of Jovita's restaurant and 10 of the other suspects arrested Thursday in a drug raid are scheduled to appear in federal court Tuesday afternoon for arraignment and detention hearings.

Armado "Mayo" Pardo, 64, and the others will be brought before U.S. District Judge Mark Lane.

They were among 18 people arrested in what federal, state and local authorities was prison gang-based gang that had been distributing heroin. The named the raid "Operation Muerta Negra."

Police said 15 of the suspects were charged in a federal indictment that was unsealed Thursday with conspiracy to posses with intent to distribute heroin. The others are facing state felony charges for either possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute or possession of a controlled substance.

In addition to Pardo, the following suspects are due to appear in Lane's courtroom:

• Jorge Carrillo, 44, of Lockhart
• Jose Pardo, 68, of Austin
• Amanda Pardo, 45, of Austin
• Tatiana Huang. 25, of Austin
• Lucy Estrada, 32, of Austin
• Dionicio Sanchez, 62, of Austin
• Chris Mier, 32, of Austin
• Terry Ayers, 65, of Austin
• Leah Day, 24, of Austin
• Jeffrey Finn, 45, of Shenandoah