Thread by @innercitypress

OK- on #NarcosHonduras, now the day before sentencing of Tony Hernandez, in another docket Juan Manuel Avila Meza (corrupt policeman) is being sentenced. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below. For now, this song, on NarcoPresidente soundcloud.com/innercitypress…

Juan Manuel Avila Meza's lawyer: OK, he showed up at a meeting. But he surrendered voluntarily at the US Embassy.
[Sentencing submission says he joined Los Cachiros in 2004, argues for guideline sentence of 210 to 262 months and $42,000 forfeiture]

Defense: Mr. Avila was never posted to cities through which drugs were moving. He has confessed guilty, but there is duress - not a defense, but relevant. He is trying to do what he can: he went to the DEA and said, I am here.

Defense lawyer: Mr. Avila, he lived in a poor country, he wanted to make some money. He had a little law office. Now he got COVID. He's over it but he still has difficulties breathing. He's made "cop-outs" (?) for medical treatment.

[Inner City Press: here's the beginning of Avila's sworn statement on assets - watch this feed, thread continues

US says Avila in February 2014 "helped set up a meeting between Lionel [Rivera] and Juan Antonio Hernandez... who helped import almost 200,000 kilos of cocaine in the US."

US: Avila was promoted to the recruiter of "good, experienced" attorneys for the Cachiros and quickly found two, Marlon Duarte and Dogoberto Aspra."

Defense: He is in good standing with the bar in Honduras.

US: He was involved in the Cachiros gaining access to lawfully restrained, drug-derived property such as the Joya Grande Zoo and INRIMAR.
[Inner City Press: Here's a photo from US sentencing submission

Here's the basis for the US seeking $42,000 forfeiture order from Avila: $20,000 for the Joya Grande Zoo, $20,000 INRIMAR and $2000 "during the 2014 meeting at a mechanic shop in San Pedro Sula."

Now Juan Manuel Avila Meza speaks for himself: ..."mi pobre pais, Honduras... mi conduct ha efectado a muchos. Pero hay que considerar COVID." [my poor country, Honduras ... my behavior has affected many. But you have to consider COVID]

Avila: You have to consider the corruption of Honduras' political leaders, who have fallen into the clutches of international drug traffickers, with terrible consequences for the people of the country... I joined the police to try to help, I began a lawyer

Avila: I was effected by drug trafficking within the highest levels of Honduras' government. Your Honor, even the brother of the president of the country was sentenced by this court [error: that's tomorrow].. he was found guilty

Avila: It's known that Los Cachiros has made high Honduran government officials tremble, from the MCC and MDC jails in New York... Show me misericordia

Judge: You pled guilty to this conspiracy, drugs and engaged in violation. It has wrecked havoc with Honduran society. I understand that you were not the son [?] of the "the President [?]

Judge: You facilitated the conspiracy. I understand that Honduras is a lawless society. The US is not. I will sentence you and provide deterrence. I am considering that you surrendered voluntarily, and that you got COVID in prison.

Judge Lorna G. Schofield: I find 210 months, recommended, to be excessive. But your lawyer wants 60 months, which is too law. There's Mr. Lobo, 288 months. Another officer got 168 months.... I have determined for you a sentence of 144 months.

Judge: Let's have him in a facility not with other members of Los Cachiros, that would help his statement of mind.
Story soon on InnerCityPress.com and patreon.com/posts/49269947