Open the Courts: Honduras Police Tigre Bonilla Got Free Lawyer For Narco Trafficking So Inner City Press Files To Unseal (full text y en espanol aqui)
The US Attorney's Office and Bonilla's lawyer had until May 20 to respond. Inner City Press has previously won similar unsealing on Michael Avenatti and "Dirty Doctor" Cruciani - watch this site.
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC-Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN NY Mag
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 12 – 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.
Inner City Press which covered the trials of Tony Hernandez and Giovanny Fuentes Ramirez immediatley published the unsealed JOH indictment, which was returned on January 27, 2022 but left under seal.
On May 11, JUAN CARLOS BONILLA VALLADARES, or Tigre Bonilla, formerly of the Honduran National Police, was presented and Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below.
In the proceeding, Bonilla swore to a sealed affidavit that he is entitled to a US taxpayer funded lawyer - despite the narco-trafficking charges and a bag of cash in the courtroom (see below). Later on May 11, Inner City Press filed a request to unseal the affidavit (photo here).
On May 12, Judge Parker ordered the US Attorney's Office and Bonilla / his lawyer to respond by May 20, photo here. Watch this site.
From May 11: The court interpreter is setting up. A lawyer named Raoul comes in. And here is Tigre Bonilla, in a white T-shirt.
Tigre Bonilla is being whispered to by his lawyer Raoul, an interpreter between them. Here comes the judge.
Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker: Date of arrest? AUSA Tarlow: He was extradited from Honduras yesterday. Judge Parker: You have the right for us to notify your consulate. [Ha]
It seems Bonilla is getting a lawyer paid for by the US taxpayers...
Judge Parker: Do you swear this financial info is true? Bonilla: Si. [Remember this] Judge Parker: I therefore appoint a lawyer for you.
Judge Parker: The US is seeking detention? AUSA: Yes. Bonilla's lawyer: We consent, gor now. Control date June 10. Adjourned.
Afterward, the agenta gave Bonilla's (free) lawyer Raoul Zaltzberg his belongings, including "an undetermined amount of US currency, which we sealed." Inner City Press asked the lawyer if he was the day's Criminal Justice Act lawyer on duty. No, he said. We'll have more on this.
The case is US v. Bonilla Valladares, 20-mj-4462 (Parker)
For Juan Orlando Hernandez the indictment is under the same docket number of Tony Hernandez, 15-cr-379, before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge P. Kevin Castel.
On May 10, Juan Orlando Hernandez was brought into court to be arraigned. Inner City Press live tweeted it, thread here and below
OK - here for Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez arraignment on narco-trafficking charges. For his 2d term he was backed up by UNSG @AntonioGuterres . Now 1 of the 2 is arrested / lectura de cargos de Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández por cargos de narcotráfico.
JOH has entered in prison blue T-shirt. Courtroom is full. He points at his heart, looking at someone in the gallery. Interpreter is speaking through microphone and headphones to him.
There are 3 U.S. Marshals accompanying JOH, one standing behind him, two by the door of the cell block he came in through. We are waiting for Judge Castel.
Judge Castel: We are here for US v. Juan Orlando Hernandez. Raymond Colon: On behalf of Mr. Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado. Judge Castel: I have a superseding indictment. Mr. Colon, has the defendant discussed it with you?
Colon: Yes. Judge Castel: How do you plead? JOH: Not guilty, Your Honor. Judge Castel: Let me hear about the discovery. AUSA: We have electronic files including social media messages from the defendant. We are 60 days to complete production.
Judge Castel: Do you have wiretaps and search warrant returns? AUSA: Yes. Judge Castel: Any post-arrest statement? AUSA: No. Judge Castel: Mr. Colon, any motions? Colon: Yes sir.
Judge Castel: How about you come back in 120 days to make any motions? Colon: Yes. Judge Castel: So, the latter half of September... [JOH is taking notes on a yellow legal pad. A woman in the front row is having interpretation whispered in her ear.]
Judge Castel: So September 28 at 11 am. Colon: I'd like to put something on the record. I have the honor of representing the former president of Honduras. The people in the gallery wish to show their admiration for him (?)
[Outside on Worth Street a crowd is chanting for JOH to be given at least the same life plus thirty years his brother Tony got]
Colon: It was difficult meeting my client in the MDC. It undermines the 6th Amendment. I should not have to do a daily vetting process Colon: My client, since he has arrived, has been denied commissary privileges. We have tried to deposit money but it is rejected. He's been there for 20 days without any access to the commissary. He has not been allowed to call his family.
Colon: My paralegals can get in to see him, but I cannot. I do not think I am on any watchlist. He has also been denied access to emails. He is in a segregated unit. I understand. I was assistant commission of jails in NY (?) but why no exercise?
Colon: He's in K.H. 4, he's the only inmate there. He's being treated like a prisoner of war. In the basketball court he is not given a ball.
Colon: He's not a terrorist. He hasn't harmed anyone -- [Loud coughing in the gallery. Many here do not agree that JOH "has not harmed anyone."]
Judge Castel: I'd like the prosecutors to look into any restrictions on Mr. Colon's access to his client, and to report to me in one week, seven days. If there is material that needs to be under seal, so be it, it can be.
Judge Castel: As to his placement in the SHU [Special Housing Unit], it's not what we do as the judiciary. Mr. Colon, after that report, you could write to me. AUSA: We are determining if a classified briefing will be needed. We'll say in 60 days.
AUSA: We move to exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act until Sep 28. Judge Castel: I intend to pick a trial date on Sept. 28, and I just Tues January 17, 2023 would work for a trial. Adjourned
On April 25, despite a mis-report by Radio HRN that Juan Orlando Hernandez is in the MCC jail (it is closed, after Jeffrey Epstein), JOH appeared in the US Bureau of Prisons database as placed in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where accused CIA leaker Joshua Schulte and Ghislaine Maxwell, pending her sentencing this summer, are detained. Photo here. Watch this site.
Back on April 21, a lawyer filed a notice of appearance to represent JOH: Raymond L. Colon of 131 Pugsley Avenue in The Bronx, with 30 other cases over the years in SDNY.
On April 22 by video Colon represented JOH at his presentment. Inner City Press live tweeted here:
OK - now the presentment of former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez. He is visible on screen with a phone in his ear, in the same jacket he was extradited from Tegucigalpa in.
Now JOH, maskless, is talking into telephone handset. His volume is down; his lawyer Raymond Colon is on another line, says, "I am back if anyone is looking for me." JOH will be using an interpreter.
For the government: AUSA Elinor Tarlow. JOH, with a white wall behind him, is looking wistfully out a window to his right. And here's Magistrate Judge Aaron, apparently from his chambers
Raymond Colon is not visible by video. Just Judge Aaron, AUSA Tarlow and, on the big screen, JOH. Judge Aaron: Mr. Orlando Hernandez, are you able to understand me? JOH: Yes, through the interpreter.
AUSA Tarlow is the only one using the blurring function on her video camera. Colon: I have discussed this with my client. He agrees to proceed virtually. Judge Aaron: Mr. Orlando Hernandez, you agree? JOH: Es correcto.
Judge Aaron: Mr. Orlando Hernandez, you are charged with certain crimes... You have the right to remain silent. We have have to notify your country that you have been arrested. [No irony there.]
Judge Aaron: A grand jury returned an indictment against you for cocaine importation, possession of machine guns, conspiracy. Since 2004 to 2022 you allegedly participated in a drug trafficking organization and received millions to support DTOs in Honduras, Mexico
AUSA Tarlow: The Government is seeking detention.
Colon: We consent but may file a request for release on bail later, once we get the sureties in place. Judge Aaron: I'm aware there was an extradition here. AUSA Tarlow: He arrived here at 12:50 am.
AUSA Tarlow: There is an arraignment on May 10 at 11 am before Judge Castel. We move to exclude Speedy Trial Act time. Colon: No objection. Judge Aaron (after 5f notice, through which JOH nods and stares out the window) We are adjourned.
Post script: After the proceeding, word is that Juan Orlando Hernandez is in the custody of the Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA - hence the better than normal conditions he Zoomed in from.
Previously, Inner City Press asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres why he supported already-disgraced JOH in helping to steal his second election, by sending a four person panel with no read-out.
There has still been no answer from UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric - but Guterres' head of media access Melissa Fleming has banned Inner City Press, ongoing.
On April 21 Inner City Press posted vlogs in English and Spanish, and streamed the DEA press statement from DC, here. We will cover JOH's presentment, arraignment and trial.
The case is US v. Juan Orlando Hernandez, 15-cr-379 (Castel).
Policía de Honduras Tigre Bonilla obtuvo abogado libre por narcotráfico, por lo que Inner City Press presenta archivos para revelar
Por Matthew Russell Lee, libro de Patreon Maxwell
BBC-Guardian Reino Unido - Honduras - ESPN NY Mag
JUZGADO DE SDNY, 12 de mayo – Luego de que el hermano del presidente de Honduras, Tony Hernández, fuera condenado por narcotráfico y sentenciado a cadena perpetua más treinta años, el 21 de abril de 2022 el propio expresidente, Juan Orlando Hernández, fue extraditado a Estados Unidos.
Inner City Press, que cubrió los juicios de Tony Hernández y Giovanny Fuentes Ramírez, publicó de inmediato la acusación JOH sin sellar, que se devolvió el 27 de enero de 2022 pero se dejó sellada.
El 11 de mayo se presentó JUAN CARLOS BONILLA VALLADARES, o Tigre Bonilla, ex miembro de la Policía Nacional de Honduras, y Inner City Press lo tuiteó en vivo aquí y abajo.
En el proceso, Bonilla juró ante una declaración jurada sellada que tiene derecho a un abogado financiado por los contribuyentes estadounidenses, a pesar de los cargos de narcotráfico y una bolsa de dinero en efectivo en la sala del tribunal (ver más abajo). Más tarde, el 11 de mayo, Inner City Press presentó una solicitud para revelar la declaración jurada.
11 de mayo de 2022
Por correo electrónico a cámaras
Honorable Katharine H. Parker, juez magistrado de los Estados Unidos
Distrito Sur de Nueva York, 500 Pearl Street, Nueva York, NY 10007
Re: Solicitud de prensa para revelar la declaración jurada financiera y la información de Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, acusado de narcotráfico, EE. UU. v. Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, 22-mj-4462 (KHP)
Estimado juez Parker:
En nombre de Inner City Press ya título personal, he estado cubriendo el caso mencionado anteriormente y casos relacionados, relacionados con el narcotráfico de funcionarios políticos, militares y policiales de Honduras.
Esto se refiere al procedimiento de la Corte de Magistrados de hoy en el que a Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares se le otorgó un abogado de CJA financiado con fondos públicos, Raoul Zalksberg, con base en una declaración jurada financiera que usted revisó y sobre la cual tomó una determinación judicial. Se informa que este acusado tiene recursos sustanciales y, en la sala del tribunal el 11 de mayo, una bolsa sellada con una cantidad indeterminada de moneda estadounidense.
Dado que los jueces de distrito Furman y Cronan respectivamente ordenaron abrir las declaraciones juradas financieras de los acusados del SDNY, Michael Avenatti y (ex) Doctor Cruciani, esta es una solicitud para que se abra la información de Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares.
Inner City Press y yo nos oponemos al sellado, como lo hemos hecho en otros casos de SDNY. Véase, por ejemplo, NY Law Journal, 27 de julio de 2021, "El juez ordena la publicación de las declaraciones juradas financieras de Michael Avenatti en el caso de robo de Stormy Daniels", "Intervino el periodista Matthew Russell Lee de Inner City Press, abogando por la publicación de las declaraciones juradas", https ://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2021/07/27/judge-orders-release-of-michael-avenattis-financial-affidavits-in-stormy-daniels-theft-case/
En ese caso, y debería suceder en este, la solicitud de revelación de Inner City Press fue registrada y el acusado (cuyo abogado se adjunta aquí) tuvo la oportunidad de responder. (Inner City Press también le preguntó hoy al Sr. Zalzberg cómo fue designado para representar a este acusado que se presentó el 11 de mayo de 2022 cuando parece que el Sr. Fasulo era el abogado de CJA de turno y entendió que dijo que recibió el caso en el pasado ).
Esta es una solicitud de prensa para que se abran los archivos de conformidad con Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of Onondaga, 435 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2006) y otra jurisprudencia aplicable. Esta es una solicitud para que esta oposición al sellado se registre como, por ejemplo, tuvo lugar en US v. Avenatti, 19-cr-374 (JMF), Dkt 85, ver https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov .uscourts.nysd.516151/gov.uscourts.nysd.516151.85.0.pdf Ver también, US v. Cruciani, 21-cr-636 (JPC), Dkt No. 40 (Solicitud de Inner City Press) y 41 (fallo de abrir).
La Primera Enmienda de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos garantiza al público el derecho de acceso a los procedimientos judiciales. CONSTITUCIÓN DE EE.UU. ENMENDAR. YO; Globe Newspaper Co. v. Tribunal Superior, 457 U.S. 596, 603 (1982). El derecho de acceso del público es más fuerte cuando se trata de procesos penales como estos, que son asuntos de “la más alta preocupación e importancia para la gente”. Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Virginia, 448 U.S. 555, 575 (1980) (opinión de la pluralidad).
Si se considera necesario, POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA que Inner City Press y su reportero abajo firmante, a título personal, trasladarán este Tribunal ante la Honorable Katharine H. Parker, Jueza Magistrada de EE. UU. para el Distrito Sur de Nueva York, en la fecha y hora indicadas por el Court, para la emisión de una orden que otorga permiso a la audiencia para revelar las presentaciones del demandado en este caso.
Las personas que no son parte, como Inner City Press y yo, tenemos derecho a intervenir en procedimientos penales para hacer valer el derecho de acceso del público. Estados Unidos v. Aref, 533 F.3d 72, 81 (2d Cir. 2008).
Confirme el recibo y registre esta presentación oportuna y receptiva, y gracias por su atención.
Respetuosamente,
matthew russell lee
El 12 de mayo, el juez Parker ordenó a la Fiscalía Federal y a Bonilla
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