by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 22 – A man from Venezuela living in a migrant hotel was Federally changed in connection with the armed robbery of a Pokemon card store - and asked to be released on bond on January 22. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted, here:
AUSA Ariana Bloom: He was arrested on unreleased state charges two days ago. Federal Defender: Detention is entirely unwarranted. He has an asylum application. He lives with her in a government shelter specifically for migrants, on the West Side.
Federal Defender: He has no interest in fleeing - it would entirely undermine his asylum application. Judge: Doesn't engaging in violence undermine his claim? FD: He did NOT engage in violence. Judge: What about the state charge? FD: A fight with a friend
Federal Defender: He sells used items on the street. A man bought things, then said he'd pay him to drive people somewhere. He had no idea what they would do... They hit him in the head, he was the victim of violence
Federal Defender: He wanted nothing to do with the robbery. He told the police what happened. It's in the Complaint but it's different. I'd like to hear the recording. He had no mens rea. If it he did, his role is minor
Federal Defender: He gave consent to search his cell phone, he gave consent to search his car. There is a video Judge: Like a selfie? FD: A video of the masked men directing him to the location where the robbery was. He doesn't speak including, nor read and write
Federal Defender: He grew up in Venezuela without schooling. He's been in the migrant shelter for a year. He can come and go as he pleases. He spends his day on the street selling used items. He makes roughly $2400 a month. We order a $25,000 [unsecured] bond
Federal Defender: To the extent there are photos on his phone of masked armed men, it's that he was threatened by them. Judge: Isn't there a presumption for a Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy? FD: There is no 924(c) count. So, no. AUSA: They promised him gifts
AUSA: He drove them a second time, after having seen the first time guns, and bags packed with stolen goods. In the Mirandized interview he says he did it again because what he got was pretty good. His cell phone has the location of the 2d robbery
AUSA: If he were released, it's not clear there is not an ICE detainer out for him. The Pokemon cards stolen here are for their resale value. She says he sells things on the street. Judge: Were you going to agree to release? AUSA: I called my supervisor
Federal Defender: I am disturbed that they cite an ICE detainer... In my neighborhood I am hounded by people selling things on the street. He is not reselling items worth 10s of 1000s or 1000s of dollars. Judge: Recess
Judge is back. Judge: You may be seated. I have re-reviewed the complaint. It suggests that during the first, Queens robbery he knew they were dressed like robbers and had 3 guns - he drove them there and back and was given things of value
Judge: The second time, the Manhattan robbery, he agreed to go it for something of value. He understood that a violent robbery was going to take place. You say he was the victim - but that was after the robbery. This is troubling. He has an incentive to flee
Judge: I don't think anyone in this courtroom knows what will happen to asylum applications from Venezuela. A GPS bracelet is not sufficient. I am going to order him detained. Federal Defender: They framed it in the complaint. His children are in school
Judge: If after you've seen the evidence, if you fashion another proposal, submit it to me. Federal Defender: I'm not entitled to Rule 16 discovery until he is indicted - will you order some discovery of the post-arrest statement?
AUSA: I'll turn it over tomorrow 5:45 PM · Jan 22, 2026 · 2,027 Views View post engagements
[Defendant is crying at defense table, deputy approaches with cup of water]
The only thing to add is that before the proceeding began, AUSA Bloom was out in the hallway. When she came in, she whispered to the AUSA. Later she said that after the recommendation of pre-trial was seen, she called her supervisor and they decided to ask for detention (they were not going to, apparently, before). We aim to have more on this.
The case is USA v. Caceres, 26-mj-___ (docket number not available on PACER at Press time - AUSA Ariana Lynne Bloom is listened on 168 cases but not yet this one) (Netburn)
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