by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May15 – Back on April 14, 2023 DOJ announced the unsealing of fentanyl trafficking, weapons, and money laundering charges contained in three Indictments charging 28 defendants, including 23 based in Mexico, four based in China, and one based in Guatemala, adding that "JULIO MARIN GONZALEZ was previously arrested in the United States and will be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla."
Inner City Press, covering the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, went to Gonzelez' arraignment on April 20.
He had been appointed a CJA lawyer, whose associate and a paralegal were there, the latter translating the indictment to Gonzalez. He said they have "begun discussing" it; he pled "no cupable" / not guilty.
The AUSA when asked said there were no victims, at least under the statute.
On June 6, 2024, Inner City Press was in the SDNY Magistrates Court when co-defendant Silvano Francisco Mariano was brought in, extradited from Colombia with drug, gun and money laundering charges. He was assigned a (white shoe) CJA lawyer and was detained on consent, already in Essex County Correctional Facility yellow.
On June 5, 2025 counsel to co-defendant Mariano asked to push the June 10 conference into late July, to "continue ongoing plea negotiations."
Jump cut to August 13 when two more in the case were presented in the SDNY Magistrates Court, the day after they and others were flown in from Mexico. Others questioned the legality of their extraditions - in this case, the two new detainees ostensibly said the same retained lawyer, who said a CJA had been brought in "only for presentment" based on what Clerk said. Can joint representation continue?
On August 20 the US Attorney's Office wrote in noting the two's "desire to be represented by the same counsel" - and proposing Curcio hearing questions for August 21. Inner City Press went.
On September 3 co-defendant 18 Sergio Duarte Frias pled guilty, with sentencing set for December 16 at 3 pm.
On December 2 his defense lawyer wrote in asking for the minimum - 60 months - on December 16.
On December 9 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for 108 months.
On December 16, he got 80 months.
On January 22, 2026 the US Attorney's Office write in on co-defendant Rubio Zea asking for a substantial sentence albeit less than the 108 months stipulated by the parties, on January 27.
In fact, she got six months.
On March 5, 2026 co-defendant Mariano pled guilty to count two, with sentencing set for July 31.
On May 15, Gerarlo Merida Sanchez was brought before SDNY Chief Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, and into the case. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted:
He's drawn as counsel former prosecutor Sarah Krissoff (who also reps Nadine Menendez)
All rise! Deputy: This is US v. Sanchez. Defense: Sarah Krissoff for Mr. Merida Sanchez. Judge: Time of arrest? AUSA: He was arrested in Arizona and arrived in this District last night.
Judge: I understand your client consents to detention. AUSA: Judge Failla has set a conference for June 1. We ask for Speedy Trial Act time to be excluded.
Judge: Done
Inner City Press remains on the case(s).
The overall case is USA v. Guzman Salazar, 1:23-cr-180 (Failla)
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