Bail denied in Zetas horse industry case

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AUSTIN, Texas, July 4 (UPI) -- A federal judge denied bail to a Texas man accused of laundering money for the Mexican Zetas drug cartel through purchasing and training racehorses.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Lane said Tuesday Jose Trevino-Morales posed no risk to the community if released but could flee to Mexico, where his two brothers -- alleged Zetas drug cartel leaders Miguel Angel Trevino Morales and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales -- are believed to be, The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported.

Jose Trevino-Morales and his brothers are among 15 people charged with conspiracy to launder money in a May 30 federal indictment by an Austin grand jury. Miguel Angel Trevino Morales and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales have not been arrested.

David Finn, a lawyer representing Jose Trevino-Morales, said he is not a flight risk and should be released pending disposition of his indictment. Finn said authorities are trying to blame his client for the actions of his brothers, the alleged Zetas cartel leaders.

"They are trying to tar and feather and blame my client for what his brothers in another country have done," Finn said during Trevino's bond hearing. "That's not fair; that is not right; that is not America."

The Zetas cartel is accused of funneling millions in drug proceeds into the U.S. quarter horse industry.

Lane noted in his ruling Trevino's relationship with his brothers, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales.

Jose Trevino-Morales, a U.S. citizen who had been living in the Dallas area, has been accused of running the group's quarter horse operations in the United States.