Aurora Man Who Was Prior Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Trafficking

DENVER – George Amaya, age 29, of Aurora, Colorado, was sentenced on June 8, 2018, by U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer to serve 264 months in federal prison for drug and firearm trafficking, U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and ATF Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Debbie Livingston announced.  Following his prison sentence, Amaya was ordered to serve 4 years on supervised release.  The defendant, who appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, was remanded at its conclusion. 

On May 23, 2017, a federal grand jury in Denver returned a superseding indictment against Amaya and three others.  Co-defendant Diego Molina-Chavez pled guilty and was previously sentenced to serve 72 months’ imprisonment.  Two additional defendants, Juan Amaya, aka “Pee Wee”, and Keith Reed, also pled guilty and will be sentenced on July 13, and August 31, 2018.  Juan Amaya is the brother of George Amaya.

According to court documents and facts presented at the sentencing hearing, from October 1, 2016 to May 2, 2017, the defendant was the subject of an on-going, long-term narcotics and firearms trafficking investigation.  He began his criminal conduct in this case while he was still in custody of the Bureau of Prisons from previous charges and while in a halfway house.  On October 5, 2016, Amaya sold 25 grams of actual methamphetamine to a confidential informant.  After that sale, the defendant sold more methamphetamine and firearms to undercover ATF agents.  On May 2, 2017, the defendant agreed to sell 8 ounces of methamphetamine and two firearms to an undercover agent.  The defendant was intercepted by members of the Aurora SWAT team prior to this deal.  In his vehicle, within his reach, were two firearms.  When officers went to arrest the defendant, one officer saw the defendant look over his shoulder at the officer and then reach to the center console area of the car, near the stereo, where a firearm was later located.  Also, Amaya had 212 grams of actual methamphetamine in his vehicle.

“Amaya’s long absence from our community will tangibly improve our safety,” said U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer.  “He is exactly who we want off our streets.”

“We go after the worst of the worst and Amaya fits in that category,” said Debbie Livingston, ATF Denver Special Agent in Charge. “He is a documented gang member who was selling guns and drugs while on federal parole.  It is a good day knowing he has been removed from our streets. I am proud of our work with the DEA, and the Aurora, Denver, and Lakewood Police Departments that made this possible.”

This case was investigated by the ATF, with substantial assistance by the DEA, and the Aurora, Denver, and Lakewood Police Departments.  The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Celeste Rangel.