In
Honduras Narco
Case JOH Cites
Death Threats
and DEA
Infiltration
But Trial
Still On
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Jan 18 – After
the president
of Honduras'
brother Tony
Hernandez was
convicted of
drug
trafficking
and sentenced
to life plus
thirty years,
on April 21,
2022 the
ex-president
himself, Juan
Orlando
Hernandez, was
extradited to
the United
States.
[Espanol aqui]
Inner City
Press which covered the trials
of Tony Hernandez and Giovanny
Fuentes Ramirez immediately published
the unsealed JOH indictment,
which was returned on January
27, 2022 but left under seal.
On June 29, 2023,
the JOH trial was delayed:
"Trial is scheduled for
February 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
in Courtroom 11D.
On November 22,
2023, the US Attorney's Office
wrote in to say that while it
will arrange for JOH to meet
his lawyer in the SCIF the
following week, he cannot see
classified information there,
unlike Joshua Schulte (about
whom Inner City Press
published a book, Brutal
Kangaroo) and Cholo Abdi
Abdullah. Letter on Patreon here.
On December 19,
as to co-defendant Tigre
Bonilla, Judge Castel ruled:
"ORDER as to Juan Carlos
Bonilla Valladares; The trial
of this action has been long
set for February 5, 2024. The
Court does not anticipate
moving that trial date or
granting a severance."
But on January 10
JOH and his lawyer asked for a
seven week postponement. JOH
says he no longer has money to
pay his cleared counsel; he
wants a publicly-paid CJA
lawyer and seven additional
weeks. Filings on Patreon here.
On January 12
Judge Castel denied delay,
stating "Defendant’s
complaints about his lawyer
and his inability to finance
adequately his legal team
given the freeze of his assets
does not provide a basis for
granting his eve-of-trial
request for appointed counsel
and an adjournment" - full
order on Patreon here.
On January 18,
Inner City Press live tweeted
the final pre-trial
conference, thread:
...Judge Castel:
Alex Ordon comes in, on the
murder, as do the drug
ledgers. They contain the
initials ohf JOH for 650 kilos
of cocaine.
Judge
Castel: I admit onto evidence
electronic communications
about cocaine bearing the "TH"
stamp. CC-5 and CC-6 are
unavailable, and had no
incentive to lie. Also I admit
the photos from Tony
Hernandez' phone photos of
machine guns, 1 with JOH
inscribed
Colon: My
client [JOH] wants to remove
me as counsel. Judge Castel:
I've already ruled. JOH stands
up in the jury box. Marshal:
Sientese, senor [Sit down]
JOH: I have 2 emergencies. I
do not feel duly represented.
Six months now, he has been
sick.
JOH: I have not
been able to speak with my
lawyer from Honduras. I need
to subpoena witnesses from
Honduras. I need a laptop. But
the person who referred Colon
to me says the DEA enlisted
him to infiltrate my defense.
JOH: Now
they are opposing my legal
defense fundraising. I need a
public attorney. I can't
continue with this trial.
JOH: I just
found out of death threats
against my family, the
prosecutors hadn't told me. I
need a public defender. The US
brought me here. The colonies
used to suffer under
England... It was tyranny
Colon: It's hard
to follow that exposition. I'm
not fit to try this case
anymore.
Judge Castel: Any
US response? AUSA: We just
gave 3500 materials.
Colon: The threat against his
family, they gave it late
Colon:
Jorge Levy went to Honduras,
reporting to the DEA, and said
he could get a pardon for Tony
Hernandez from Donald Trump
[Worlds collide]
Colon:
Jorge Levy even made
representations about you,
Your Honor. I was there when
Pepe Lobo was assassinated -
and Jorge Levy blamed it on
me.
Colon: So
now it is a novela... I got a
call from a captain in the MDC
jail says Jorge Levi was
calling them saying Juan
Orlando has ordered a hit on
him using a phone he doesn't
have
Now Tigre
Bonilla wants to speak.
Bonilla: I have been without
liberty in the US, I must
appeal about the lack of
defense that I have.
Bonilla: I
am not a delinquent or a
criminal. Judge Castel: You
can testify to that at
trial. Bonilla: I sent
you a letter last year, that
my lawyer does not represent
me, he is irritated.
Bonilla's
lawyer: We brought in another
lawyer... The 3500 material
has me tense. I see him weekly
or twice a week. Judge:
There is no time for new
lawyers
And that's it -
except that letters seem to be
due. Inner City Press will
report them
The case is US v.
Diaz Morales, et al.,
15-cr-379 (Castel)
***
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