Two
Brothers Charged in Fentanyl Conspiracy
Now US Wants 108 Months on Ornelas
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY MAG COURT
EXCLUSIVE, Feb 9 - In
the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New
York on November 29, a
detention or bond proceeding
was held by Magistrate Judge
Stewart D. Aaron on two
brothers, both charged in a
six-defendant narcotics
conspiracy.
Inner City
Press was there, the only
media in the Mag Court.
The
indictment, initially sealed,
charged the defendants with
dealing fentanyl between June
2020 and October 19, 2022.
The defendants
were ordered released on
$50,000 bond, but detained
overnight until the GPS
monitoring bracelets could be
installed.
On December 7
there was a conference in the
case, with four defendants in
the gallery and one, in
detention, with Marshals in
the jury box. But the lead
defendant, Pedro Ornelas, was
described as a fugitive.
On October 20,
2023, Ornelas pled guilty - in
the Magistrates Court: "before
Magistrate Judge James L.
Cott: Change of Plea Hearing
as to Pedro Ornelas held on
10/20/2023. Deft pleas guilty
to count 1. Judge Cott
recommends that Judge Furman
accept plea. PSR Ordered. Sent
date set for 1/30/2024. Deft.
Detained."
On February 8,
the US asked for 108 months on
Pedro Ornelas.
On January 16, in
the wake of Judge Furman's US
v. Chavez decision allowing a
man who pled guilty to remain
out on bond due to the
conditions in the MDC, Ornelas
co-defendant Jordany Cruz
through counsel sought a
ruling before his plea that he
too can remain free on bond.
Judge Furman replied in the
docket, "ORDER with respect to
[118] Seeking to Continue Bail
Pending Sentencing as to
Jordany Cruz (6): The Court
will address the issue if or
when a guilty plea is entered.
Counsel should be prepared to
address it at that time. SO
ORDERED. (Signed by Judge
Jesse M. Furman on 1/16/24)
(Text Only Order) (Furman,
Jesse)." So, despite the
language in Chavez, case by
case
The overall case
is US v. Ornelas, et al.,
22-cr-552 (Furman / Cott).
***
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