Metro Mother, Daughter Accused In Federal Narcotics Transportation Conspiracy

An Oklahoma City-metro mother and her daughter have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Eastern District of Texas, accused of operating a large-scale narcotics transportation conspiracy and international money laundering scheme.

Debra Mercer-Erwin, 58, and Kayleigh Moffett, 33, both of Oklahoma City; and six others were named the indictment for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, money laundering, wire fraud, and more.

The indictment alleges that Mercer and Moffett, through their company Aircraft Guarantee Corporation (AGC), registered thousands of aircraft in Onalaska, Texas – a town without an airport.

The long-term investigation found that the illegally registered aircraft were then used by multinational criminal organizations in Belize, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, and Honduras to smuggle cocaine into the United States, according to the Government.

Prosecutors allege the proceeds from the drug sales were then transported as cash from the U.S. to Mexico for the purchase of more drugs and more aircraft.

Mercer and Moffett are also accused of working with Federico Machado, 53, of Florida to carry out a $560 million Ponzi scheme.

The indictment suggests Mercer, Moffett, and Machado recruited investors for aircraft purchases that never happened.

Prosecutors said they would illegally divert the money invested in ‘ghost planes’ and funnel it to foreign accounts.

The indictment detailed hundreds of millions of dollars in criminal activity since 2016.

Mercer and Moffett could face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, if convicted.

They were arrested in Oklahoma. At last check, both remain out of jail on bond.

Federal court records show a pretrial hearing set for March 4 was continued due to the enormity of the case.

Both have hired high-profile Oklahoma City attorneys.

News 9 is seeking comment from their lawyers, as this is a developing story.