| Of 3 Indicted in Bronx
Fentanyl Conspiracy 2 Were Freed
Now 1 Asks Time Served on Feb 27
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack SDNY
COURTHOUSE,
Feb 15 รข€“ Three men were
indicted, arrested and
presented on fentanyl
distribution conspiracy
charges, on January 16 before
U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York
Magistrate Judge Gary Stein.
Inner City Press was there,
the only media in the SDNY Mag
court. One
of the three, William Castro,
consented to detention. But
the other two, Morales and
Garcia, were both released on
$50,000 bond. The AUSA spoke of
15 controlled buys, and even
higher volume by
"extrapolation." Judge Stein
rejected that, and ordered
release - of the two who
asked. On January 31 the
third man, William Javier
Castro Lopez, asked for
release on bond. His CJA
lawyer Isl Yusuf El Ashmawy
wrote that "Mr. Castro, while
a non citizen, reports
compliance with immigration
authorities since entering the
country in October of 2022...
Mr. Castro was released into
the country on recognizance
with appointments to attend
immigration court
proceedings." The DHS Order of
Release on Recognizance said
"You have been arrested and
placed in removal
proceedings." File No A241 910
187 On June 23, a
change of plea was set: "The
status conference previously
scheduled for June 24, 2025,
at Respectfully submitted,
10:00 a.m. shall be converted
into a change-of-plea
conference as JAY CLAYTON to
defendant William Castro.
(Signed by Judge Dale E. Ho on
6/23/2025)." But on June 24,
there was no guilty plea:
"proceedings held before Judge
Dale E. Ho: Status Conference
as to William Castro held on
6/24/2025. Plea hearing NOT
held. Now on July 11
another one: as to Justine
Morales: The Court has been
advised that the Defendant may
want to enter a change of
plea. Accordingly, the parties
shall appear for a conference
with the Court on July 15,
2025, at 2:30 p.m. (Signed by
Judge Dale E. Ho on 7/11/2025) On July 15 the
plea happened: "Change of Plea
Hearing as to Justine Morales
held on 7/15/2025. Defendant
withdraws previously entered
not guilty plea and enters a
plea of GUILTY to Count One of
the Indictment. The Court
accepts Defendant's guilty
plea. PSR ordered. Sentencing
is scheduled for November 12,
2025, at 2:00 p.m." On August 12,
another guilty plea: "Change
of Plea Hearing as to Alfonso
Garcia held on 8/12/2025.
Defendant Alfonso Garcia
present (on bail) Defendant
withdraws previously entered
not guilty plea and enters a
plea of GUILTY to Count One of
the Indictment. The Court
accepts Defendant's guilty
plea. PSR ordered. Sentencing
is scheduled for December 3,
2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Defendant's sentencing
submissions are due by
November 19, 2025.
Government's sentencing
submissions are due by
November 26, 2025 On September 29
counsel to co-defendant Castro
wrote in to "request that the
Court calendar this matter for
a Change of Plea Hearing" and
will "correspond with the
Court's deputy regarding a
date." On October 1
Judge Ho sent the change of
plea for October 10 at 11:30
am. On October 10, it
happened: William Castro
present (in custody) Defendant
withdraws previously entered
not guilty plea and enters a
plea of GUILTY to Count One of
the Indictment. The Court
accepts Defendant's guilty
plea. PSR ordered. Sentencing
is scheduled for January 16,
2026, at 9:15 a.m. Defendant's
sentencing submissions are due
by January 2, 2026.
Government's sentencing
submissions are due by January
9, 2026 On November 26,
the US Attorney's Office asked
for the five year minimum on
Justine Morales on December 4. And five years -
60 months - it was: "as to
Justine Morales. The Court
recommends that Mr. Morales be
assigned to Fort Dix or
another facility as close to
New York City as possible for
the maintenance of family
ties, other than the MDC
Brooklyn. The Court also
recommends a facility that
offers RDAP. 60 months.
The defendant shall surrender
for service of sentence at the
institution designated by the
Bureau of Prisons: before 2
p.m. 1/21/2026. On January 9 the
US Attorney's Office wrote in
asking for 27 months on
co-defendant Castro. He got 14 months
and two weeks: "JUDGMENT IN A
CRIMINAL CASE as to William
Castro (2). The defendant
pleaded guilty to count 1 of
the indictment. IMPRISONMENT:
14 months and two weeks. The
defendant is remanded to the
custody of the United States
Marshal." Counsel to Garcia
wrote in on February 15 asking
for time served on February
27, citing a union job,
economic downturn during COVID
19, and the safety valve. The overall case is USA v. Morales, et al., 1:25-cr-17 (Ho)
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Saturday, March 7, 2026
Of 3 Indicted in Bronx Fentanyl Conspiracy 2 Were Freed Now 1 Asks Time Served on Feb 27
