White
Collar Criminal Linked to Black Eye Wanted
Sentencing Delay But Denied so Jan 17
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell
Book
SDNY EXCLUSIVE,
Jan 12 - In the U.S.
District Court for the
Southern District of New York
on November 10, a remand or
release to home confinement
proceeding was held by Judge
Loretta A. Preska on a white
collar criminal Derek Jones
after allegations and photos
of domestic abuse to submitted
under seal.
Inner City Press was in the
courtroom and files this
exclusive.
Derek
Jones, a lawyer, was charged
in 2021 with a $4.5 million
fraud using BlueRidge Realty
and venture capital Realize
Holdings. He pled
guilty - then purported
to withdraw his plea. That was
denied, and his sentencing set
for December 13.
While Jones asked to appear
remotely from California for a
November 10 hearing before
Judge Preska, he was ordered
to be present. Inner City
Press went, as did two U.S.
Marshals.
The
Assistant US Attorney had
submitted two 302s, dated
October 18 and October 25,
under seal. But during the
proceeding Judge Preska asked,
What am I to do with these
photos?
Reference was made to photos
of physical abuse, torn
clothes, and to another former
Jones girlfriend who contacted
the government about threats,
as well as to a letter seeming
obtained by coercion.
Jones'
lawyer said this was an
ambush, that his client should
remain at liberty to prepare
for sentencing; he even
offered that Jones would see
no women at all until
sentencing.
The name
of the photographed victim was
given, but Inner City Press is
voluntarily not publishing it
here. The transcript was
ordered sealed. Judge Preska
ordered Jones to home
confinement, other than
activities involving his
children (whom Jones himself
said are ages eight, 10, 12
and 14).
On November 11,
Veterans Day, the US
Attorney's Office filed this:
" Re: United States v. Derek
Jones, S1 21 Cr. 59 (LAP) Dear
Judge Preska: On behalf
of the parties, the Government
respectfully requests that the
Court so-order this letter
reflecting modifications to
the defendant’s conditions of
release. As the Court stated
at yesterday’s conference, the
defendant is now subject to
the following additional
conditions: The
defendant shall remain on home
confinement at all times
except as required to
participate in activities with
his children as permitted
under his and his ex-wife’s
custody arrangement, or to
travel to or from Court
appearances. The
defendant shall not
communicate or have any
contact with the two
ex-girlfriends..." Full
filing on
Patreon here.
On January 11, in
the run-up to the January 17
sentencing, CJA counsel for
Derek Jones wrote in request
more time, until at least
February 28. They cited Jones'
COVID, and the engagement with
his parents' money of
Renaissance Associates to
dispute the loss amount.
On January 12,
the US Attorney's Office
opposed delay, and put in more
victim impact statements, one
concerning a close
relationship with Jones back
when he was in a "prestigious
fraternity at the University
of Virginia." The victim was
then deceived and "lost a
fortune."
Later on January
12, Judge Preska denied delay
- so, it's January 17: "ORDER
as to Derek Jones: Mr. Jones'
request for an adjournment of
sentencing (dkt. no. 171) is
denied. Sentencing will
proceed on January 17, 2023,
at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 12A.
(Signed by Judge Loretta A.
Preska on 1/12/2023." Watch
this site.
The case is US v.
Derek Jones, 21-cr-59 (Preska)
***
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