Local briefs — Oct. 2

Clovis man pleads to federal charges

A 37-year-old Clovis man pleaded guilty Thursday to a methamphetamine trafficking charge in federal court, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Michael Montoya faces up to 151 months in prison, under the terms of his agreement, the release said.

Montoya and his co-defendants, Brian Acuna, 23, and Dianna Hernandez-Trujillo, 24, both of Clovis, and Alexander Page, 28, of Tucumcari, were arrested in 2013 on indictments alleging they were involved in trafficking in three New Mexico counties.

Acuna and Page have pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the cases. Both are awaiting sentencing.

Hernandez-Trujillo has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Jury convicts in trafficking case

A 54-year-old Clovis man on Wednesday was convicted of trafficking cocaine, according to a news release from the district attorney.

James Clifton Moten was convicted after a jury deliberated about 90 minutes, the release said.

“The charges are the last of the cases that resulted from a four-month undercover operation by the Region 5 Drug Task Force,” DA Andrea Reeb said in the release. “The operation resulted in the arrest of over 22 individuals who were engaged in trafficking cocaine in Clovis.”

Moten faces up to 13 years in prison, the release said.