Honduras: JOH Will Be Extradited / JOH será extraditado a Nueva York
After Honduras JOH Brother Tony Got Life + 30 Now JOH To Be Extradited to NYC
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song FilingBBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 16 – Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez took a briefcase of cash and said he would stuff drugs up the noses of the gringos, a jury was told on March 16, 2020. Inner City Press live tweeted it, morning here and then the afternoon, about the video(s), here and below. Geovanny Fuentes was found guilty, and his lawyer told Inner City Press he thinks JOH will be or has already been indicted.
On March 16 on a request for extradition to the US, Honduran Judge Edwin Fransisco Ortez had approved the extradition of JOH. Inner City Press which covers the SDNY daily is on alert for his arrival - then that of Tigre Bonilla. Watch this site.
On February 7 from the US State Department, this: "The United States’ commitment to fighting corruption and promoting democracy, rule of law, and accountability in support of the people of Central America is ironclad. We believe these issues are key to a brighter future for Central America. To advance this priority, we are declassifying and publicizing the inclusion of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on the United States’ Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors list, under Section 353 of the United States–Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, as amended, which generally makes the listed individuals ineligible for visas and admission to the United States. The Department included Hernandez on the list effective July 1, 2021. As detailed in our report to Congress, according to multiple, credible media reports, Juan Orlando Hernandez has engaged in significant corruption by committing or facilitating acts of corruption and narco-trafficking, and using the proceeds of illicit activity to facilitate political campaigns. In addition, Hernandez was identified by name in sworn witness testimony in a U.S. federal criminal proceeding as having received narco-trafficking proceeds as part of his campaign funding. The Department included Hernandez on the Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors list on July 1, 2021 and is now publicizing this status."
On January 26, 2022, as US Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to travel to Honduras to attend the inauguration of Xiomara Castro (but not, her staff emphasized, meet her counterpart from Taiwan), a Senior Administration Official told the press:
"in terms of outgoing President Hernández, in terms of specific actions -- of course, anything concerning legal action, I defer you to the Department of Justice. As you know well, they will make all decisions going forward based on the facts and the law. I would just say that we take the allegations that have been made against him quite seriously, and we’ll look to the Department of Justice to do what they see to be most appropriate." Watch this site.
Back on September 8, 2021, Geovanny Fuentes fired that lawyer, and gotten a new (also publicly funded) one. Judge Castel ruled: "ORDER as to Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez. The trial of this action has resulted in a verdict. Defendant's post-verdict motions have been decided. The only proceeding remaining in this Court is sentencing."
But now on October 12, Geovanny Fuentes' sentencing that had been set for October 19 has been pushed back again, to January 11.
And on December 26, docketed December 27, his lawyer asked for the minimum, 40 years, and not life plus 30 years. But on page 1 of the three page sentencing submission, his name is spelled "Ramizer."
On January 6, the US asked to push Geovanny's sentencing back to February 8, saying "the parties understand that due to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic sentencing cannot proceed as scheduled on January 11, 2022." Inner City Press will remain on the case.
On July 19 on the Salgueros, this: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge P. Kevin Castel: (Telephone) Status Conference as to Otto Rene Salguero Morales, Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo held on 7/19/2021. Defendant Otto Salguero-Morales present with attorney, Robert Feitel. Defendant Ronald Salguero-Portillo present with attorney, Linda George. Defendants waive physical appearance. Government and defense counsel are required to submit letters by August 15, 2021 regarding blackout dates for the first quarter of 2020. Defendants' motion for a bill of particulars shall be filed by August 2, 2021. The next conference is scheduled for October 12, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. in Courtroom 11D. Time is excluded until 10/12/2021. Defendants continue to be detained." Inner City Press will stay on the cases.
On May 10, in the parallel case of US v. Lobo, Honduras police officer Ludwig Criss Zelaya Romero was being sentenced by Judge Schofield. Inner City Press live tweeted it here:
Inner City Press video stand up afterward here.
This case is US v. Lobo, et al., 15-cr-174 (Schofield)
On April 26, the lawyer for co-defendant Otto Salguero Morales wrote to Judge Castel complaining he hasn't been given the recorded calls and emails "obtained in the Giovanni [sic] Fuentes case." So he says no trial date can be set. This while the UK sanctions Oscar Ramon Najera. What is the US State Department doing? We have asked them, and the US Mission to the UN, without answer.
Now on April 29, Otto Salguero-Morales' lawyer has followed up with a motion for "random reassignment" of his case, away from Judge Castel. He asks why his case was linked to that of Tony Hernandez, while Leonel Devis Rivera-Maradiaga and Alexander Ardon-Soriano have different judges. He questions the process of superseding indictments. Now there's also a Motion For Reassignment of Indictment . Document, filed by Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo. Watch this site.
On April 23, Fuentes' lawyers filed a motion to set aside the verdict or for a new trial, arguing among other things that Judge Castel erred in permitting Leonel Rivera to testify to statement made by Metro and to Fuentes' alleged statements in the MCC. Inner City Press tweeted photo here. The US Attorney's Office immediately asked for an extension until May 21 to response - and got it. Watch this site.
On March 16, JOH's brother Tony Hernandez was belatedly up for sentencing before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge P. Kevin Castel, who oversaw his trial leading to guilty verdicts in October 2019. Judge Castel sentenced him to life plus thirty years and said in prison he should reflect on how to help his family "and [his] country" - perhaps a reference to telling the US government and then juries what else he knows. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here and below. The ensuing celebrations, across Worth Street from the SDNY courthouse and in Honduras, Inner City Press dubbed the "Castel-ebracion."
Now on April 12, two more defendants in the case had a status conference before Judge Castel. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:
Judge Castel has a proceeding on Otto Rene Salguero Morales and Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo.
Lawyer for Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo says she wants more discovery information, all she's been given is testimony of a cooperator, Ardon. Says she needs time to meet with the defendant at the MCC jail.
Judge Castel: Let's hear from the US. Why haven't you answered the defense's emails about discovery? Asst US Attorney: We spoke in December.
Lawyer: I wrote to them in January, nothing heard back. What is my client charged with? It can't just be what Mr. Ardon says.
Lawyer: This client is a Guatemalan national. My other client [in Lobo case before Judge Schofield] was a member of the Honduras National Police.
Judge Castel: Does the government think there is a potential conflict? AUSA: No view at this time.
Judge Castel (sounding frustrated) - We'll get to the bottom of this - did the government send you the discovery from the Juan Antonio Hernandez Alvarado case or not?
Lawyer: Partially. We didn't get discovery about the videos, nor copies of documents
Judge Castel: I'm wondering if I've been lied to, by one side or the other. Now lawyer for Otto Rene Salguero Morales asks for discovery from the Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez trial.
Judge Castel: So when will this case be ready for trial? Lawyer for Otto Rene Salguero Morales: I can't be sure yet. I'll be in New York next week.
Judge Castel: OK, we'll get together again in six weeks. May 26 at 10:30 am.
Interim update: this morning's proceeding was technical and proceeding, but the case involves not only Presidential brother Tony Hernandez, but also... El Chapo. A photo of a filing from the case is here.
On April 7, Tony Hernandez filed notice of appeal to the Second Circuit - still with a lawyer paid by the US taxpayers, and even the $505 appeal fee waived: "Appeal Remark as to Juan Antonio Hernandez Alvarado re: [311] Notice of Appeal - Final Judgment. $505.00 Appeal Fee Waived. Attorney CJA."
Also on April 7, another proceeding, this time in Judge Castel's own, smaller courtroom. Inner City Press live tweeted it here:
Mauricio Hernandez Pineda is in yellow prison jump suit. Inner City Press is alone in the gallery. It has begun.
Mauricio Hernandez Pineda's lawyer Mr Leader has represented Zavala Velasquez in US v Lobo. Will he waive the conflict?
But first: he is 49, gets treatment for cholesterol. Brother passed away last week.
US says both were members of same conspiracy. But Mauricio Hernandez Pineda waives any conflict of interest.
Proceeding is over. Next date is June 8, 2:30 pm, time excluded with US citing possible "pre-trial disposition" talks, which is standard
On April 5, Inner City Press began asking what has happened with the 2018 indictment of Midence Oqueli Martinez Turcios? Since July 2018, there is nothing in the docket, although Honduran media reported he had turned himself in to the DEA. Where is he? Who might he testify against? Indictment and more on Patreon here.
On April 2, with the indictment of El Tigre Bonilla still listed as "under seal," Inner City Press published the indictment on its DocumentCloud, here. Why is this still listed as sealed? Watch this site.
From March 30: Judge Castel: Juan Antonio Hernandez Alvarado, you are remanded to be imprisoned for life on Count 1... & 30 years on Count 2, consecutive. Forfeiture of $138.5 million. No fine.
Judge Castel: You have the right to appeal, including as a poor person. I hope that while you are in person you will reflect on your life and what you've done and turn your life around. Perhaps you can do some good for your family and your country.
Defense lawyer Brill: I will file a notice of appeal, and then be relieved. Judge Castel: We are adjourned.
A question still: Does the right to access to Federal court proceedings extend to listen-only telephone lines, in the time of COVID and beyond? Should it?
The question has been further raised in the ongoing Honduras narco-trafficking case US v. Geovanny Fuentes, which Inner City Press has been covering in-person in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where it is "in-house press."
On the morning of March 13, Inner City Press filed a challenge to the cut-off of audio access to the US v. Fuentes trial, citing the First Amendment, COVID and real-world politics, see here and below.
Late on the evening of March 14, the US Attorney's Office filed a three page letter into the docket, specifically arguing the the call-in line be eliminated for two entire Witnesses and everything they say. US Attorney's Office's letter, now uploaded on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud, here.
Inner City Press has immediately responded in opposition, here, stating among other things that "the US Attorney's Office seeks to specifically ban public access to two of their Witnesses, while saying that a transcript would be available at some unspecified date afterwards. Given that the Office has yet to unseal improperly redacted portions of their filings, there is little reason to have confidence in the speed of transcription, or that such transcripts would not be too expensive for the public or media.
Inner City Press after its first filing waited nine hours, including this song, here, to report about it. Full first letter on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud, here.
Inner City Press itself obeys all existing rules and is grateful for the additional access as in-house media (particularly since it is banned from covering the UN, which now Constitutional rights such as the First Amendment exist).
But others have rights too - including journalists and regular citizens of Honduras. If the SDNY prosecutors are going to exercises essentially universal jurisdiction for any wire transfer that passes through lower Manhattan, how ever briefly, they should not oppose access to their trials by those impacted, for better and worse.
Judge Castel is a good judge, in Inner City Press' experience. When petitioned he has ordered the unsealing of certain court documents, in a North Korea crypto-currency conference case and the tech / child sex sentencing of Peter Bright former of ArsTechnica, both of which Inner City Press covered and requested. And Judge Castel is certainly in the mainstream in his March 12 psoition. But should it be rethought? Is there a right? Should there be? Watch this site.
The case is US v. Diaz, 15-cr-379 (Castel).
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Después de Honduras JOH El hermano Tony consiguió la vida + 30 Ahora JOH será extraditado a Nueva York
Por Matthew Russell Lee, archivo de canciones de Patreon
BBC - Guardian Reino Unido - Honduras - ESPN
JUZGADO DE SDNY, 16 de marzo – El presidente de Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, tomó un maletín con dinero en efectivo y dijo que les metería drogas en las narices a los gringos, se le dijo a un jurado el 16 de marzo de 2020. Inner City Press lo tuiteó en vivo, mañana aquí y luego la tarde, sobre el(los) video(s), aquí y más abajo. Geovanny Fuentes fue declarado culpable y su abogado le dijo a Inner City Press que cree que JOH será o ya ha sido acusado.
El 16 de marzo ante un pedido de extradición a EE.UU., el juez hondureño Edwin Francisco Ortez había aprobado la extradición de JOH. Inner City Press, que cubre el diario SDNY, está en alerta por su llegada, luego la de Tigre Bonilla. Mira este sitio.
El 7 de febrero del Departamento de Estado de EE. UU., esto: "El compromiso de Estados Unidos de luchar contra la corrupción y promover la democracia, el estado de derecho y la rendición de cuentas en apoyo de los pueblos de América Central es férreo. Creemos que estos temas son clave para un futuro más brillante". Para avanzar en esta prioridad, estamos desclasificando y publicitando la inclusión del expresidente hondureño Juan Orlando Hernández en la lista de Actores Corruptos y Antidemocráticos de los Estados Unidos, bajo la Sección 353 de la Ley de Compromiso Mejorado de los Estados Unidos y el Triángulo Norte, como modificado, que generalmente hace que las personas enumeradas no sean elegibles para visas y admisión a los EE. UU. El Departamento incluyó a Hernández en la lista a partir del 1 de julio de 2021. Como se detalla en nuestro informe al Congreso, según múltiples informes de medios creíbles, Juan Orlando Hernández se ha involucrado en una corrupción significativa al cometer o facilitar actos de corrupción y narcotráfico, y al utilizar los ingresos de actividades ilícitas actividad para facilitar las campañas políticas. Además, Hernández fue identificado por su nombre en el testimonio de un testigo jurado en un proceso penal federal de los EE. UU. por haber recibido ganancias del narcotráfico como parte de la financiación de su campaña. El Departamento incluyó a Hernández en la lista de Actores Corruptos y Antidemocráticos el 1 de julio de 2021 y ahora está publicitando este estado".
El 26 de enero de 2022, mientras la vicepresidenta de EE. UU., Kamala Harris, se preparaba para viajar a Honduras para asistir a la toma de posesión de Xiomara Castro (pero no, enfatizó su personal, reunirse con su homóloga de Taiwán), un alto funcionario de la administración dijo a la prensa:
"En términos del presidente saliente Hernández, en términos de acciones específicas, por supuesto, cualquier cosa relacionada con acciones legales, lo remito al Departamento de Justicia. Como bien saben, tomarán todas las decisiones en el futuro con base en los hechos y la ley. Solo diría que tomamos muy en serio las acusaciones que se han hecho en su contra, y buscaremos que el Departamento de Justicia haga lo que considere más apropiado ". Mira este sitio.
El 8 de septiembre de 2021, Geovanny Fuentes despidió a ese abogado y consiguió uno nuevo (también financiado con fondos públicos). El juez Castel dictaminó: "ORDEN en cuanto a Geovanny Fuentes Ramírez. El juicio de esta acción ha resultado en un veredicto. Las mociones posteriores al veredicto del acusado han sido decididas. El único procedimiento pendiente en este Tribunal es la sentencia".
Pero ahora, el 12 de octubre, la sentencia de Geovanny Fuentes que se había fijado para el 19 de octubre se retrasó nuevamente al 11 de enero.
Y el 26 de diciembre, fichado el 27 de diciembre, su abogado pidió el mínimo, 40 años, y no la vida más 30 años. Pero en la página 1 de la presentación de sentencia de tres páginas, su nombre está escrito "Ramizer".
El 6 de enero, EE. UU. solicitó retrasar la sentencia de Geovanny hasta el 8 de febrero y dijo que "las partes entienden que, debido a problemas relacionados con la pandemia de COVID-19, la sentencia no puede proceder según lo programado el 11 de enero de 2022". Inner City Press permanecerá en el caso.
El 19 de julio en los Salgueros, este: “Ingreso a diligencias realizadas ante el Juez P. Kevin Castel: (Teléfono) Conferencia de Estado respecto a Otto René Salguero Morales, Ronald Enrique Salguero Portillo celebrada el 19/07/2021. Acusado Otto Salguero- Morales presente con el abogado, Robert Feitel. El acusado Ronald Salguero-Portillo presente con la abogada, Linda George. Los acusados renuncian a la apariencia física. El gobierno y los abogados defensores deben enviar cartas antes del 15 de agosto de 2021 con respecto a las fechas bloqueadas para el primer trimestre de 2020. Acusados La moción para un proyecto de ley de detalles se presentará antes del 2 de agosto de 2021. La próxima conferencia está programada para el 12 de octubre de 2021 a las 12:00 p. m. en la sala de audiencias 11D. Se excluye el tiempo hasta el 12/10/2021. ." Inner City Press permanecerá en los casos.
El 10 de mayo, en el caso paralelo de Estados Unidos v. Lobo, el oficial de policía de Honduras Ludwig Criss Zelaya Romero estaba siendo sentenciado por el juez Schofield. Inner City Press lo tuiteó en vivo aquí:
El video de Inner City Press se pone de pie después aquí.
Este caso es US v. Lobo, et al., 15-cr-174 (Schofield)