DAY ONE: Trial Against Honduran Geovanny David Fuentes Ramirez

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Brief Case Summary:

Honduran Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez (GFR) was arrested on March 1, 2020 in the Miami International Airport as he attempted to depart the United States. GFR is charged with:

  1. Cocaine importation conspiracy

  2. Possession of machine guns and destructive devices

  3. Conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices

The full indictment that outlines timeframes, charges, context, allegations, etc, can be read here. The trial begins today, March 8, 2021 in the Southern District Court of New York in Manhattan, New York. The trial is expected to last between 8 to 10 days.

What’s Important About This Specific Case:

  • GFR is believed to have operated a cocaine-producing drug laboratory close to the northern city of Omoa, Cortés.

  • GFR is believed to have paid President JOH (CC-4) $25,000 USD in exchange for protection. JOH (CC-4) expressed interest in having access to the lab and agreed to facilitate use of the Honduran Armed Forces personnel to help with securing the lab. GFR had significant communication with other drug traffickers, some of which will testify against him, as well as JOH’s brother, Tony Hernandez (who is waiting his sentencing hearing currently scheduled for March 23, 2021).

  • In this trial, it is expected that damning evidence will surface that further implicates the Honduran police, Honduran military and JOH (CC-4) in drug trafficking. JOH seems to be concerned about this trial beginning and published a series of tweets yesterday warning that testimonies of convicted drug traffickers should not be given any legitimacy. Read the first of his string of tweets here.

Photo caption: Geovanny David Fuentes Ramirez. Photo from hondudiario

Photo caption: Geovanny David Fuentes Ramirez. Photo from hondudiario

What Happened Today:

  • Jury selection

Key Details That Surfaced:

  • Before jury selection began, Judge P. Kevin Castel advised that he had received information that an individual close to the defendant, Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez (from here on in GFR) had threatened the wife of one of the witnesses that will be called by the prosecutors. Judge Castel warned that an investigation would be carried out and if found to be true, GFR could face an obstruction of justice charge as well.

  • The defense expressed concern that information had been leaked by the government regarding the identity of CC-14 (named in the most recent evidence submitted by the government and believed to be a family member of GFR)

  • A list of names of places, people, and businesses was given to the selected jury members that include several names of Honduran politicians and convicted drug traffickers. This is to help the jury keep track of all the names that may be used throughout the trial.

What Will Happen Tomorrow:

  • Opening remarks from the prosecutors and the defense

  • The first witnesses is expected to be called

Stay tuned for detailed daily summaries