by Matthew Russell Lee, Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 5 – In the closing arguments on March 6, AUSA Tarlow said that narco trafficking had grown under JOH. On March 7, out of the hearing of the jury and for then the Press, JOH's lawyer Stabile said he'd heard different overnight.
From who?
The defendant's wife he said.
Later on March 8, the verdict, here- then the book Narco Drama in English then Spanish.
On August 9, 2024, this Honduras Congressman's guilty plea: "Midence Oqueli Martinez Turcios (1) Guilty as to Count 1."
Narco Drama book / audiobook in Spanish here
On December 16 a "Fatico" hearing continued, thread here
More analysis on X for Subscribers here and with translation into Spanish here on Substack here
On January 30 his lawyer wrote in asking to re-open the hearing to put on more witness, who read about the December 12 and December 16 hearings, seemingly from Inner City Press, via OnceNoticias, "Midence Oquelí Martínez Turcios has a hearing in which cooperator Devis Leonel Rivera implicated him in murder," reported American journalist Matthew Russell Lee"
On February 24 Judge Kaplan ruled "the Court credits the bulk of Rivera's testimony at the Fatico hearing. Accordingly, the Court accepts the presentence report with the modifications reflected in a sealed order issued contemporaneously with this opinion." Order on Patreon here
The next day, February 25, defense counsel requested reconsideration in a heavily redacted memo, saying the Court relied on only one witness [REDACTED].. the Government has never called him to testify as a witness in any case."
Jump cut to August 28 when the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking to delay its sentencing memo from August 29 to... Monday, September 1, which is Labor Day...
On September 2 defense counsel asked to delay the September 7 sentencing.
On November 4 Turcios' lawyer wrote in saying that what Leonel Rivera said, that Chele Volqueta killed journalist Nahum Palacios, while having previously said Volqueta was killed in prison.
On December 5, after JOH was pardoned and left prison, Turcios got 262 months: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Lewis A. Kaplan: Sentencing held on 12/4/2025 for Midence Oqueli Martinez Turcios (1) Count 1. Sentencing hearing held regarding Midence Oqueli Martinez Turcios before the before Hon. Lewis A. Kaplan. Defendant Martinez Turcios present with attorney Kristen Marie Santillo. AUSAs David Robles and Jacob H. Gutwillig present. Spanish interpreters Gabriel Mitre present. Defendant sentenced to a term of incarceration of 262 months." Now what?
The case is USA v. Martinez Turcios,
1:18-cr-499 (Kaplan)
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
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