SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 21 – A man indicted on fentanyl charges as Manuel Rodriguez came up for sentencing on July 21 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Edgardo Ramos. Inner City Press covered it.
Judge Ramos began by noting that Rodriguez has indicated his real name is Urena. He is from the Domincan Republic. It emerged that while pleading guilty his account is that after breaking up with his wife he went to live with a relative named Lopez.
To pay Lopez back for putting him up, Rodriguez / Urena got involved in the fentanyl trade. Before the First Step Act, he would have faced a 10 year mandatory minimum, based on weight. But now he qualified in the SDNY for the Safety Valve.
Judge Ramos noted that fentanyl is serious and kills many people.
He sentenced Rodriguez / Urena to 24 months, after which he will be deported to the Dominican Republic.
The defense lawyer said his client is afraid, that in the DR he is blamed for the confiscation of the drugs.
Judge Ramos wished him well.
The case is US v. Rodriguez et al., 19-cr-264 (Ramos)
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