By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 10 – Amid UN General Assembly week in New York City in September 2021, Enrique Figueroa was arrested and charged with threats to kill the President of the Dominican Republic, as the president of Haiti had been killed.
He was presented, and ordered detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Inner City Press, which covers the UN including UN peacekeepers bringing cholera to Haiti, live tweeted it below.
On May 10, 2022 before the assigned District Judge Paul G. Gardephe, Figueroa's request to fire his Federal Defender was granted. The basis? That she had consented to waivers of Speedy Trial Act time ostensibly without Figueroa's consent or permission. Letter here.
An earlier letter referred to "opposing political and societal views." Judge Gardephe granted Figueroa's request for a new counsel, while telling him that he will have to take whatever Criminal Justice Act lawyer is on duty. The case is now US v. Figueroa, 21-cr-708 (Gardephe).
From September 2021: now presentment for threatening a president. Defendant is in shackles, has Federal Defender.
Defendant is reading Pre-Trial Service report, seems to disagree with something in it. Shakes his head, sommons Federal Defender over. Will US seek pre-trial detention?
Defendant Figueroa was arrested yesterday 6:45 pm. Judge Cott reads him his rights, invluding consular notification. Count 1: interstate threats. Count 2: threats against a foreign official.
US is seeking detention. Says Figueroa threatened to assassinate the President posted photo of himelf with assault rifle and the presidential motorcade.
US says Figueroa sought to fly to D.R. from Newark but had expired passport, was interviewed.
Wait- US says Figueroa is a member of QAnon and went to Justice For J6 in DC on Sept 18
Figueroa said he has weapons in the DominicanRepublic. He called the president's aide and said if you don't answer, the President won't leave the US. He'll be killed like Haiti's. Judge Cott takes a break
Judge Cott is back. He recites the Bail Reform Act factors then says the defendant has "uncertain family and community ties." Says evidence is strong, the President is in NYC.
He orders Figueroa detained.
The case is US v. Figueroa (Cott)
***
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.
