‘Cocaine cowboys’ smuggler convicted in auto fraud case
By CURT ANDERSON
1 hour agoMIAMI (AP) — A pilot who once smuggled tons of drugs for Colombian cartels during Miami’s “cocaine cowboys†era in the 1980s was convicted Wednesday of playing a key role in an auto fraud ring that stole at least 150 cars using a fake paper trail.
A federal jury found Mickey Munday, 72, guilty of mail fraud and conspiracy charges, each of which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. Several others in the fraud ring previously pleaded guilty and testified against Munday, saying his role was transporting the cars and hiding them until they could be sold.
Munday showed no emotion when the verdict was read and was taken immediately into custody. U.S. District Judge Robert Scola set March 29 for sentencing. His defense team said he wasn’t aware of the auto fraud.
All told, testimony showed the group stole about $1.7 million from banks and other lenders between 2008 and 2015. Some in the ring said Munday’s colorful past as a big-time drug smuggler made him a natural fit for the operation.
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