| Five
Kilos of Drugs
Triggered
Verdict
Against
Cabbie Now
Delay for
Co-Defendant
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
April 29 – A self-described
taxi driver has been on trial
for five kilos of narcotics.
On July 18,
a Drug Enforcement Agency
agent testified before the
jury and U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of
New York Judge Alvin K.
Hellerstein. Inner City Press
was there.
The agent
described questioning the
defendant Victor Molina
Rodriguez after the transfer
of narcotics between him and
Diogenes and Stalym Plaza -
who said he was on his way to
cut hair in Manhattan.
Molina
Rodriguez said he had met the
two while giving them a ride
in his cab. But the agent said
seized phones told another
story.
On July
19, Stalym Plaza was on the
witness stand, in MDC jail
being and a US Marshall beside
him. He listened to his own
WhatsApps and described his
and Victor's drug deals. A gun
he had, he said he found, and
told the government about. He
admitted to using false papers
to find work at Uber Eats,
DoorDash and Lyft.
The verdict?
Guilty: "Jury found defendant
guilty on count 1."
On November 6,
the prosecutors wrote in to
request a "substantial term of
imprisonment below the
applicable Guidelines range of
57 to 71 months."
On November 13,
2023, he got 18 months:
"Minute Entry for proceedings
held before Judge Alvin K.
Hellerstein: Sentencing held
on 11/13/2023 for Victor
Molina Rodriguez (3) Count
1.Deft. is sentenced to 18
months custody; Deft. cont'd.
remanded."
On January 14,
2024, counsel to Stalyn Plaza
docketed his sentencing memo,
asking for "the 20 months he
has thus far served."
On April 29,
2025, on a co-defendant
extradited in, more time was
given: filed by Diogenes
Plaza, re: request to adjourn
conference on consent.... I
was assigned to represent Mr.
Plaza on March 10, 2025, after
he was extradited from the
Dominican Republic to the
US... I respectfully request
that this matter be adjourned
for 45-days to allow the
defense to continue reviewing
discovery and engaging in
discussions with the
Government. ENDORSEMENT: The
pre-trial conference is
adjourned and time is excluded
until July 9, 2025 at 9:30
a.m., in the interest of
justice. (Signed by Judge
Alvin K. Hellerstein on
4/29/2025)
The case is
US v. Molina Rodriguez,
22-cr-632 (Hellerstein)
***
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