By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 8 – On May 20, 2022 DOJ announced that "JOHN COSTANZO JR., a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent, and MANUEL RECIO, a former DEA Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, were indicted in Manhattan federal court."
On October 27, 2023 with the trial belatedly underway, Inner City Press was in the courtroom when Special Agent Brandon Jaycox testified. Audio tapes were being played. Behind the scenes there were dueling letters on the admissibility of recordings about Recio telling Costanzo about the impending arrest of Cesar Peralta.
On October 30 witness Hernandez - he explained his nickname grew from having "a head shaped like a bowling ball" - read from his text messages with Costanzo, who he called "boss."
On October 31, after Hernandez testified about his relationship with Alexander Saab, it emerged - not in the docket - that the US seeks to seal the courtroom, citing what they described in open court as an exhibit concerning a "unilateral operation" without the consent of the country it took place in, an operation that apparently involved or involves committing crimes. Inner City Press joined an oral request to unseal - with a written letter.
Judge Oetken to his credit docketed the letter at 4:30 pm. But by then, the courtroom was sealed, and Inner City Press waiting outside in the hall until past 5. Inside throughout were, among others, two woman in the gallery who left with a defendant, seemingly family members. So isn't the horse out of the barn?
On November 8, the jury came back with guilty verdicts. Judge Oetken told the parties to choose a sentencing date in March or April, 2024.
On November 17, it was set for April 24, 2024 - and the SDNY prosecutors wrote it to confirm and defend that the family members remained in the sealed courtroom during Nadler's testimony with the national security information, citing US v. Alimehmeti, 284 F. Supp. 3d 477, 487 (SDNY 2018). But weren't they free to share the dangerous document?
Back on July 15, Judge Oekten held a conference, which Inner City Press live tweeted here
US letter alleging conflict on Patreon here.
The case is US v. Costanzo, 22-cr-281 (Oetken)
***
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.
