Saturday, October 1, 2022

Defendant Found With 20 Kilos of Fentanyl Gets 60 Months Through the Safety Valve

 

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book
BBC Honduras - CIA Trial book - NY Mag

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 28 – A sentencing for fentanyl occurred Friday afternoon on September 23 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Edgardo Ramos. Inner City Press covered it here:

OK - now sentencing for 20 kilos of fentanyl of Sucre Almanzar-Alba, by Judge Ramos

AUSA Mead: We agree he's eligible for the safety valve.

Defense lawyer Guzman: My client didn't negotiate price, he was just delivering the kilo of fentanyl. And he showed the police where the other 19 kilos were.

Defense Guzman: My client was threatened after his arrest, about the loss of the 19 kilos. He expects to have problems when he returns to the Dominican Republic. AUSA Mead: Can I have a minute to speak to defense counsel?

 AUSA Mead: The government typically does not speak of its cooperation process in open court. Defense lawyer: My client was left alone in the DR at 5 years old, his mother went to Venezuela looking for work [Note: defense sentencing submission is not in the docket]

 US Attorney's sentencing letter asks for a sentence between 108 and 135 months.  Defense lawyer: He's a trained barber. Defense lawyer: My client will be deported. He will not be heard to present any problem to anyone. His cognitive method of making decisions has been distorted. He was made fun of in school because of the clothing that he wore. He's the sole supporter of 4 kids

 Almanzar-Alba: I am remorseful for the crime I have committed. And I apologize for this, from the bottom of my heart. I've realized how unhappy I am for having committed such an act. I apologize to those I hurt or could have hurt with my acts. I apologize to NYC

Judge: I intend to impose a sentence of 60 months. I will not impose a fine, as I find he cannot pay it. Fentanyl is lethal. I know from experience, bad experience, that even small amounts of fentanyl can result in the death of an unknown person. He had 20 kilos

Judge: I note sadly  that Mr Almanzar has suffered the loss of a child. That does not excuse his drinking, or what he has done. He spoke today, and I believe he was sincere. The sentence is imposed, with 5 years of supervised release. We are adjourned. 

The case is US v. Almanzar-Alba, 22-cr-259 (Ramos)   

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