Bronx Man with Key Fob to Stash House in Luxury High Rise in Long Island City Bailed for $50K

Bronx Man with Key Fob to Stash House in Luxury High Rise in Long Island City Bailed for $50K by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 30 – A man charged with narcotics distribution conspiracy was brought into U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court on October 30. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag court, and live tweeted here: Surprise, for Mag court: defense lawyer is moving to dismiss the Complaint. Defense: It's boilerplate. It's just conclusory allegation. They got a warrant on Oct 29 to a building in Long Island City - my client stepped off the elevator and said, Wrong floor  Defense: Based on that they stopped him, took his phone, tested his key fob and it opened the door to the apartment they were searching. Yes they found drug there. In law school they call this fruit of the poisoned tree. Judge: Did they have a basis to stop him?   AUSA: His conduct was suggestive of criminal activity. He went toward the apartment the agents were searching, then wandered around the floor - it was the 38th floor. He became nervous and entered the elevator. Rule 5.1(e) is dispositive here Judge: I find there was probably cause. You can challenge it later. [Defendant is looking at his CJA lawyer, looking surprised] Judge: He attempted to quickly get on the elevator while speaking on his cell phone. Are you seeking bail? Defense: Yes   AUSA: There is a high rise. They had security cameras; defendant got a text telling him to take down the cameras. He had a key fob to the stash house.  He has a prior Federal narcotics conviction, 70 month sentence. Here is faces 10 years mandatory, 20 with gun   AUSA: He says he works in a car wash, "here and there." He said he uses cocaine on a daily basis. There are no co-signers here today. Defense: Pre-Trial recommends release. Consider my suppression arguments. He was seized. He would live in The Bronx.  AUSA: Pre-Trial doesn't consider the presumption nor the mandatory minimum, nor the strength of the evidence. This is not a strong package. Judge: I think you can be released  $50,000 bond.     Two co-signers are needed before release. The case is USA v. Marcano, 1:26-mj-4590 (Lehrburger) *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2026 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com