by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 17 – A defendant charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking as part of the Tren de Aragua gang was presented on December 12 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag Court.
The defendant Samuel Castro repeatedly turned and gestured to the law enforcement officials in the back of the courtroom; his Criminal Justice Act appointed lawyer said he wanted medicine for his ear.
He had arrived from immigration detention after being arrested on November 6.
On December 12 Castro was detained on consent on the conspiracy charges.
On January 17, 2025 co-defendant Jarwin Valero Calderon came from the MDC to the Magistrates Court, with his CJA lawyer seeking release on bond. Inner City Press was there. Thread:
AUSA: We found photos on defendants' phones, in this document of four left hands holding guns, one is purple on the bottom. Judge: I have only a black and white copy here.
[Color copy handed up] AUSA: He was stopped at the border illegally entering. He was released from immigration custody with an ankle bracelet, pending a hearing. He was later arrested in Florida and ordered removed to Venezuela. But they wouldn't take him.
AUSA: Due to lack of bed space he was released again with an ankle bracelet... Then the car jacking, in front of 1790 Prospect. Defendant was in the building, he jumped out of a window to try to evade arrest and throw away his phone.
Defense lawyer: We are requesting release. He can't flee to Venezuela, "unless things change politically down there."
Judge: TDA is a serious criminal organization. There was the October 2024 threat-call, and surveillance video. Yes, he was working for DoorDash. This is his fourth arrest here, including a larceny conviction in Nassau County
Judge: All the rest of his family is in Venezuela. I order you to continue to be detained
The case is USA v. Castro, et al., 24-mj-4180 (Tarnofsky)
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