Friday, July 10, 2026

Felon Charged with Gun in Car Searched for Tinted Windows Is Freed Citing Suppression



Felon Charged with Gun in Car Searched for Tinted Windows Is Freed Citing Suppression

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 7 รข€“ A defendant charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm - found in the car he was driving with allegedly over-tinted windows - was the subject of a bail fight on July 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was the only media there, and live tweeted it:

AUSA: Last time he told the judge, I'll never do it again. Then stopped in car with gun and bullets.

 Defense: He does not live New York, he dropped out of school at 16 to take care of a child. He works 40 hours a week for City Parks

 Defense: There is no per se rule that a felon in possession defendant must be detained- Judge: This is not even a presumption case. Defense: He didn't toss it. The car was not even registered to my client. The gun was no loaded. Just some loose ammo

 AUSA: They were very dark tinted windows Judge: There's no way I can judge that from here. AUSA: They found he wasn't properly licensed so they had to drive the car to the precinct. That's when the found the gun. Judge: The Government has not met its burden.

AUSA: We request he had a location monitoring bracelet. Defense: He is on his feet all day at the City Parks. It is too heavy. Judge; I agree. No GPS. $50,000 unsecured bond with two co-signers. Maintain verifiable employment

Adjourned

The case is USA v. Ortega, 1:26-mj- 2502 (Ricardo)

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