Honduras
Ex-Prez JOH Sentenced to 45 Years Insists
Obama Trump & Biden Praised Him
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Substack
SDNY
COURTHOUSE,
June 26 – In the closing
arguments on March 6, 2024
AUSA Tarlow said that narco
trafficking had grown under
Juan Orlando Hernandez. On
March 7, out of the hearing of
the jury and for then the
Press, JOH's lawyer Stabile
said he'd heard different
overnight.
From who?
The
defendant's wife he said.
Was this
just a play for a mistrial?
Judge Castel
concluded it was, and denied
Stabile's motion, Order on
Patreon here.
Later on March 8,
the verdict, here-
then the book Narco Drama in English then Spanish.
On May 9, Judge
Castel denied JOH's motion for
a new trial. Order on Patreon
here.
On June 10, JOH's
lawyer asked for delay. Letter
on Patreon here.
On June 21 JOH's
lawyer Stabile near midnight
asked for a 40 year sentence,
saying it is the minimum and
"Mr. Hernandez is 55 years
old, so a 40 year sentence
equals a life sentence for Mr.
Hernandez."
Early on
June 22, letters were filed
including Ana Hernandez, trashing the
trial, full letter on Patreon
here.
Late on
June 24, the US Attorney's
Office wrote in requesting on
Juan Orlando Hernandez "that
the Court should impose a
sentence of life imprisonment,
order the defendant to forfeit
$15,525,000 and pay a $10
million fine."
On June 25, JOH's
lawyer wrote in asking that
Juan Orlando Hernandez remain
in MDC Brooklyn for his own
safety, and so he can best
work on his appeal, citing the
example of SBF. Proposed order
on Patreon here.
On June 26, JOH
got 45 years and 180 days in
the MDC. Inner City Press
thread here:
All rise!
Stabile: Mr. Hernandez
maintains his innocence. We
object to Paragraph 36 about 5
murders. Judge Castel: I
propose adding, "Fuentes
Ramirez engaged in 5 murders."
Stabile: OK. Paragraph 74
implies the brothers solicited
the murder of Sanabria. We
object Judge Castel: I
believe the murder was related
to the use of the drug
ledgers. But I don't attribute
that murder to this defendant.
Stabile:
Paragraph 107, threat against
Byron Ruiz, GX 404-T. Judge: I
won't use that enhancement.
Stabile:
Paragraph 111. He denies
AUSA: He had a leadership role
in the drug trafficking
conspiracy. He partnered with
Giovani Fuentes Ramirez: he
arranged for the $1 million
bribe from El Chapo. He told
Ardon not to run for mayor.
Stabile: Those were political
orders Judge: The enhancement
stands
Judge: I will
also apply the obstruction of
justice enhancement. I believe
that the defendant testified
falsely. He claimed he never
even met Giovani Fuentes
Ramirez, or Arnulfo Valle. But
there was the World Cup photo.
Judge: So
offense level is 50, maxing
out at 43. The verdict stands.
Today is sentencing. Stabile:
We are asking for the 40 year
mandatory minimum. JOH: This
is my only chance, most likely
I will be in jail for life.
Judge: You may issue a
statement from prison
Judge: The US is seeking life
and thirty. You are not
welcome to make a speech.
JOH: I am
innocent. Information was
omitted. As president of
congress, I asked to meet the
US State Dept to tell them we
were ready for the law on
extradition Judge: This
is not for you to express your
views on the process. There is
no motion before me for a new
trial. If you want to express
remorse, fine. But this is not
to discuss guilt or innocence.
Stabile: I have
not read his statement. He
worked with the US
Judge: Is this
any different than what's in
your letter?
JOH: There are
some subjects not in there.
Judge: Why did you hold them
back? JOH: I want you to
know...Giovani Fuentes Ramirez
said he didn't know me. I
don't know him. On his phone,
we don't use WAZE
JOH: I
didn't know Arnulfo Valle...
This request for $25 million?
We don't even have $3 million.
This is selective justice. The
Mexican defense minister was
let off by Attorney General
Barr. The maras? They knew
they were being recorded
JOH: The
criminals listen to the news
then sell stories to the
prosecutors. This will come
out and will harm the
alliance. The DEA, and
Presidents, Obama, Donald
Trump and Biden, they all
praised me and my work. Were
they lying? They said, JOH is
a man of his word
JOH: Today is the
International Day against drug
trafficking, but the criminals
have prevailed. My first
attorney was sick. You
appointed Stabile, who said he
needed more time. I was thrown
into a deep river with my
hands tied. JOH:
Politicians here called mine a
narco dictatorship. But the
SFRC said different.
Judge Castel:
Please wrap it up.
JOH: MLK said an
injustice anywhere is an
injustice everywhere. Dante,
too. Today an innocent person
is being sentenced
JOH: Thanks
to my wife and children.
Please protect them. I saved
lives in the US. This is a
lynching, but later the truth
will be known. The US is
responsible for what happens
to me here. Please leave me in
MDC. I hope you do. Stop
political persecutions.
JOH: Some in the DEA didn't
like what I did. They just let
things go on... I met General
Kelly- Judge Castel: Bring it
to a close. 3 minutes more,
that's it. JOH: We took down
planes, Congress was told. But
this evidence was excluded.
Drug traffickers are believed
JOH:
Gracias senor juez.
AUSA: The
verdict was unanimous. He
corrupted Honduran
instututions to preserve his
power by drug trafficking.
There were drug ledgers with
his name, JOH. He continues to
profess falsely his innocence.
The trial showed what
happened
AUSA: There were
murders. Traffickers became
politicians, and politicians
became traffickers. He made it
a Narco State. He wanted money
and power through cocaine. He
wanted to shove the drugs up
the noses of the gringos. He
deserves life in prison
Judge Castel: I
am sentencing Juan Orlando
Hernandez. He first appeared
here in May 2022. I adjourned
the trial repeatedly. He hired
2 lawyers: I gave him a 3d at
public expense, and put one of
his on public funding. He had
10 strikes of jurors without
explanation Judge
Castel: He testified at trial
and was unanimously convicted
of 3 crimes. He is not being
sentenced for corruption in
Honduras, that is up to the
people of Honduras. He
thwarted efforts to stop drug
traffickers; he used acting
skills.
Judge Castel:
Pepe Lobo sought $2 million
from Ardon, who trafficked
drugs with JOH's brother Tony.
JOH took money to provide
protection. He met
Maradiaga... El Chapo paid $1
million, through Tony
Hernandez. In 2014 there were
some seizures, after an OFAC
listing Judge Castel: He
is 53, has a degree from SUNY
Albany. His daughter's letter
is moving. The sentence in
this case is a message to
elegant drug traffickers. The
jury saw through him, as a two
faced politician.
Judge Castel: I
sentence Juan Orlando
Hernandez to 45 years in
prison. Any objection?
Stabile: Only on forfeiture.
AUSA: No your Honor.
Judge Castel:
Please rise, Mr Hernandez. I
sentence you to 45 years in
prison, then 5 years of
supervised release. You must
comply with US immigration
laws. [JOH is standing,
in MDC tan jail uniform]
Judge Castel: On
forfeiture, defense is to
respond in 14 days. You may
appeal. JOH: Can I continue
with Mr Stabile? Judge: He can
move to withdraw. As to
remaining in MDC, this is
unusual. AUSA: It cites
SBF... Judge Castel: I
will recommend it, with a
sunset of 180 days in light of
previous manipulation of the
schedule in this case.
Adjourned.
More on X for
Subscribers here
and Substack here
***
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