Courtroom Exclusive: Bronx Man Whose Fentanyl Killed 16 Year Old Sex Worker Wanted Bail But Detained in SDNY

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTROOM EXCLUSIVE, May 12 – Law enforcement announced the arrest in The Bronx, NY of VIRGIL WARDLOW for paying for sex with a minor with fentanyl-laced pills, saying he "will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo."    Inner City Press was there. Thread here:

Prosecutor says defendant left fentanyl loose in 110 East 177 Street in the Bronx, used anonymized VOIP TextPlus, killed a 19-year-old. Withdrew $40 from TD Bank with CashApp to "date" Victim-2, also paying with (deadly) pills  

Wardlow's girlfriend Ms Casanova is here - his Federal Defender says she works at Nordstrom in "asset protection." They have a 7 year old daughter. Also his mother, who work at the Post Office.

 Federal Defender says Wardlow has an entrepreneurial spirit - but the deal for the 16 year old was someone else's fault, "other people went to that hotel."

  Federal Defender asks for a photo of the minor, says another john may be responsible.

AUSA: The next one paid in cash. It's strict liability, as long as they have contact...  Federal Defender: He could stay with his mother in Brooklyn. Judge: Are there any children there?  

Seems not. Stepfather also works for post office. Federal Defender: He has pills because of 2 car accidents. He wouldn't get therapy in jail. Prosecutor: He sells drugs and buys sex in wherever he lives.  Federal Defender: It was just tobacco leaves

  19 year old died: 16 year old passed out but revived. Judge has stepped out to decide.   Judge is back. Orders detention, danger to community. 

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