Now in #SDNY Magistrates Court, a shackled defendant is presented on a sealed indictment. Federal Defender says he has the right to see names of his co-defendants. Judge Parker asks AUSA Wright to email her, she'll print out for defendant to see. Threadette
If the purpose of blacking out the names of co-defendants is so they're not put on notice the law is looking for them, what's the rationale for keeping it sealed after this defendant is shown all names, without restrictions? @SDNYLIVE
Here in the Mag Court gallery, where Inner City Press is the only media, a woman is leaning forward and praying. US is requesting detention of defendant, saying he came from Cuba in 1996, was arrested in 1998 and not deported because of nationality
AUSA says the other defendants are fugitives overseas, imported Colombian cocaine into Miami, using a ripped dollar bill as authentication. Defendant had the ripped bill and was filmed, had the 20 kilos of coke taken from him.
AUSA says defendant could get to Cuba from Miami in a recreational boat in 90 minutes and then could not be extrradited. He did all this while working as delivery driver then as a Spectrum cable installer.
Federal Defender says the praying woman is her client's common law wife, due to have their child Feb 20. Has another 12 year old son. The torn bill, she says, shows he's low level and is Safety Valve eligible. And he installs cable for Spectrum!
Judge Parker is releasing defendant on $75,000 bond and weekly visits to son in NJ, maternity ward on Feb 20, noting that he applied to ICE for work permits every year. #TheCableGuy story soon - Mag Court exclusive
