By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY EXCLUSIVE, Nov 10 - In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on November 10, a remand or release to home confinement proceeding was held by Judge Loretta A. Preska on a white collar criminal Derek Jones after allegations and photos of domestic abuse to submitted under seal.
Inner City Press was in the courtroom and files this exclusive.
Derek Jones, a lawyer, was charged in 2021 with a $4.5 million fraud using BlueRidge Realty and venture capital Realize Holdings. He pled guilty - then purported to withdraw his plea. That was denied, and his sentencing set for December 13.
While Jones asked to appear remotely from California for a November 10 hearing before Judge Preska, he was ordered to be present. Inner City Press went, as did two U.S. Marshals.
The Assistant US Attorney had submitted two 302s, dated October 18 and October 25, under seal. But during the proceeding Judge Preska asked, What am I to do with these photos?
Reference was made to photos of physical abuse, torn clothes, and to another former Jones girlfriend who contacted the government about threats, as well as to a letter seeming obtained by coercion.
Jones' lawyer said this was an ambush, that his client should remain at liberty to prepare for sentencing; he even offered that Jones would see no women at all until sentencing.
The name of the photographed victim was given, but Inner City Press is voluntarily not publishing it here. The transcript was ordered sealed. Judge Preska ordered Jones to home confinement, other than activities involving his children (whom Jones himself said are ages eight, 10, 12 and 14).
Criminal Justice Act funds will be used to fly Jones back to California, and again for sentencing, which Inner City Press will cover.
The case is US v. Derek Jones, 21-cr-59 (Preska)
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