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In SDNY Bronx Case In Which Cooperator Broke Deal Trial Against Duo on October 3

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 8 – A multi-defendant narcotics conspiracy prosecution centered on the James Monroe Houses in The Bronx now features charges dropped due to a cooperating witness not complying with his cooperation agreement.  

 The overall case is known as US v. Spencer, et al. and Inner City Press has reported on it at every stage, here and here

On July 7, 2022, a trial schedule was set: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Analisa Torres: Status Conference as to Nyshiem Spencer, Stefvon Eley held on 7/6/2022. Defendant Spencer present with CJA attorneys Sabrina Shroff and Luca Marzorati. Defendant Eley present with CJA attorney Jeremy Schneider. AUSA Andrew Chan present for the Government. Court reporter present. Government to produce enterprise letter by July 26, 2022. Trial scheduled to begin on October 3, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Motions in limine and pretrial submissions due by August 23, 2022, with opposition to be filed by September 6, 2022. Final pretrial conference to be held on September 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m."

Back on November 16, 2021 docketed was this: "ORDER as to Lafone Eley. The Defendant in the above captioned case has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of time served. (Signed by Judge Analisa Torres on 11/15/21)."

 On March 25 the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York has written to SDNY Judge Analisa Torres:

"In light of evidence indicating that a cooperating witness (“CW-1”) breached CW-1’s cooperation agreement, the Government has determined that it will not call CW-1 at trial in this case. The Government will provide this evidence, including notes of CW-1’s meetings with the Government, to defense counsel by April 2, 2021.

"Given the foregoing, the Government no longer intends to proceed with respect to Counts Two and Three of the 20 Cr. 78 (AT) Indictment. The Government also no longer plans to proceed on Count Nine of the Indictment with respect to Defendants Nyshiem Spencer, Shalik Jenkins, Nasir Vincent, Allan Gonzalez, and Jonell Danforth. With respect to Defendants Malik Tunstall and Price Tunstall, the Government intends to proceed on Count Nine, but without seeking findings by the jury with respect to drug weight. The Government is evaluating whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed at all with respect to Defendant Shalik Jenkins."   

We aim to have more on this.  

Earlier in the case, nearly a year ago on March 30, 2020, Inner City Press reported that Assistant US Attorney Justin Rodriguez repeatedly cited a video of which he wrote he would "arrange with the Court's Chambers for the transmission of an electronic version of the video montage, rather than a physical copy." The video was and is as of this writing not in the case's docket on PACER.    Judge Torres relied on this video is denying bond, finding a danger to the community. Minutes later, she approved a switch to CJA lawyer James Branden for co-defendant Lafone Eley."

On October 20, 2021, Lafone Ely came to plead guilty to a single count of attempted bank fraud. When asked to allocute, he said he had gotten the password to a bank account not his own, raised the limit but still hadn't been able to get the money. He got a plea deal with a guideline of nine to 15 months, with a speedy sentencing set for November 9.

On June 7, 2022 Judge Torres imposed time served sentences in the case on Shalik Jenkins and on Ashanae McLaughlin, noting her past as "a Bronx-born basketball star" and relatively lesser role.

The case is US v. Spencer, et al., 20-cr-78 (Torres)

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