by Matthew Russell Lee, Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 1 – In the closing arguments on March 6, AUSA Tarlow said that narco trafficking had grown under JOH. On March 7, out of the hearing of the jury and for then the Press, JOH's lawyer Stabile said he'd heard different overnight.
From who?
The defendant's wife he said.
Was this just a play for a mistrial?
Judge Castel concluded it was, and denied Stabile's motion, Order on Patreon here.
Later on March 8, the verdict, here- then the book Narco Drama in English then Spanish.
Now on March 22 Stabile requested a new trial, filing on Inner City Press' free DocumentCloud here
On May 9, Judge Castel denied JOH's motion for a new trial. Order on Patreon here.
After being sentenced to 45 years, on July 10 JOH filed notice of appeal - and then opposed paying any of the $15 million forfeiture requested, letter on Patreon here.
On July 17 the US reiterated its demand for $15 million forfeiture: "Bribes the defendant received personally, including $1 million of the total $2 million Alex Ardon paid to Pepe Lobo and the defendant (Trial Transcript (“Tr.”) 209-213; ¶¶ 45-46), $250,000 paid by Fabio Lobo to the defendant (Tr. 1132), $300,000 from Chinda Montes (Tr. 794; PSR ¶ 55), $100,000 from Neftali Duarte (Tr. 812; PSR ¶ 55), 3 and $25,000 from Fuentes Ramirez. • Bribes paid to the defendant’s co-conspirators that he “controlled,” either by speaking directly on the phone with his co-conspirators contemporaneously with their receiving a bribe on his behalf, i.e., the $250,000 paid by Javier Rivera, on behalf of Los Cachiros, to Hilda Hernandez (Tr. 1119-1120; ¶ 57), or immediately after doing so, i.e., the $4 million paid by “Wilson,” a/k/a Sanabria, to Tony Hernandez (Tr. 1125; see also GX 403-T, Line 31; PSR ¶ 58); to a co-conspirator expressly for the defendant’s benefit, i.e., Chapo’s $1 million bribe for the defendant’s presidential campaign (Tr. 262-65, 626, 638, 1116; PSR ¶ 57)... the Court should enter the Government’s proposed POF and order the defendant to forfeit $15,525,000" - full letter on Patreon here.
On August 1, Tigre Bonilla who had asked for the 10 year minimum (the prosecutors asked for 30 years) was sentenced to 19 years. Inner City Press was there, thread:
Judge Castel: I am asking the defense on what basis you're asking me to disbelieve Ardon, when two juries believed him? Bonilla's lawyer: Ardon as to this murder with armor piercing ammo referred to Tony Hernandez, there were no witnesses
Assistant US Attorney: Tony Hernandez and Alex Ardon used Tigre Bonilla for the murder. Mr Diaz Morales testified that Tigre would carry out murders Tigre's lawyer: My client has admitted he was involved in drugs. But not this murder.
Judge Castel: I find he was responsible, by a preponderance. Tigre's lawyer: Present here in the [otherwise nearly empty] courtroom are Mr Bonilla's daughter, his son, his daughter, and a friend Marcela Carro. He needs prostate surgury. A 30 year sentence would be a death sentence. He's a marked man.
Bonilla's lawyer: Who knows how safe he would be in Honduras? He is 64. Even twenty years would probably be a death sentence. So why did he take the plea? He is asking for 10 years. Tigre Bonilla: This was like a foretold death
Tigre Bonilla: I was grateful to see my family and friends here. Have mercy on me. I made a mistake. The prosecutor, all of us want to hug our children. May God give you wisdom. How long do I have left? I am more there than here. I want to say, I am here. Thank you
Tigre Bonilla: I have a five year old daughter. I need to see her. Have compassion of me. The jails are terrible in the country. I bathe only once a week. AUSA: The chief of the Honduran National Police helped move drugs, for Tony Hernandez, Cachiros, the Valles
AUSA: After holding a lower position, MAuricio Hernandez Pineda was sentenced by this court to 15 years. Here we ask for 30 years. Judge Castel: Mr Bonilla used his position to provide armed protection to cocaine traffickers
Judge Castel: This was much more than a mistake- it was a way of life. He had tremendous military bearing, he looked the part... There are others who will not be going home to their families due to addiction. The defandant enabled this. Judge: I don't think drug dealers would trust you. I sent you to 228 months in prison - 19 years
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
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