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United States v. Manuel Pavón-Rodríguez

United States District Court – District of New Mexico – Case No. 2:17-cr-01923-JB-2

   After a four day trial in Las Cruces Federal Court before Judge Robert Brack, a 12-person jury returned with four “not guilty” verdicts as to Manuel Pavón-Rodríguez. His attorney, Stephen D Aarons, explained that Mr. Pavón-Rodríguez had been indicted by the grand jury for possession with intent to distribute 246 pounds (111 kilograms) of illegal drugs. Mr. Pavón-Rodríguez and his co-defendant, John Milne, were arrested near Rodeo New Mexico and the drugs were discovered in five burlap backpacks in the back of Milne’s Ford Explorer. Mr. Milne was represented by two federal public defenders and he was convicted on all counts.

Mr. Pavón-Rodríguez testified that he had emigrated to New Mexico over 15 years ago and is living in Santa Fe with his wife and four children. He needed to return to his birthplace after the death of h is parents to check up on his two brothers, one of whom has Downs Syndrome. He hired an outfit to return him illegally across the border. Others being transported earned their way by carrying the heavy back packs each loaded with 50-100 pounds of contraband, but Mr. Pavón-Rodríguez had paid a full fare and did not carry any drugs. Although Mr. Pavón-Rodríguez was released after his acquittal by all twelve jurors, it was not clear whether his immigration lawyer could obtain a stay from deportation given his family situation. Without any felony drug conviction, however, he will be eligible to apply in the future to become a permanent resident or naturalized citizen.

Después de un juicio de cuatro días en el Tribunal Federal de Las Cruces ante el juez Robert Brack, un jurado de 12 personas regresó con cuatro veredictos de “no culpable” en cuanto al Manuel Pavón-Rodríguez. Su abogado, Stephen D Aarons, explicó que el Sr. Pavón-Rodríguez había sido acusado por el gran jurado de posesión con la intención de distribuir 246 libras (111 kilogramos) de drogas ilegales. El Sr. Pavón-Rodríguez y su codemandado, John Milne, fueron arrestados cerca de Rodeo New Mexico y las drogas fueron descubiertas en cinco mochilas de arpillera en la parte trasera del Ford Explorer de Milne. El Sr. Milne estuvo representado por dos defensores públicos federales y fue condenado por todos los cargos.

El Sr. Pavón-Rodríguez testificó que había emigrado a Nuevo México hace más de 15 años y que vive en Santa Fe con su esposa y cuatro hijos. Tenía que regresar a su lugar de nacimiento después de la muerte de los padres de H para controlar a sus dos hermanos, uno de los cuales tiene el síndrome de Downs. Él contrató un equipo para devolverlo ilegalmente al otro lado de la frontera. Otros que se transportaban ganaban llevándose los pesados ​​mochilas cargadas con 50 a 100 libras de contrabando, pero el Sr. Pavón-Rodríguez había pagado una tarifa completa y no llevaba drogas. Aunque el Sr. Pavón-Rodríguez fue liberado después de su absolución por los doce miembros del jurado, no estaba claro si su abogado de inmigración podría obtener una suspensión de la deportación dada su situación familiar. Sin embargo, sin una condena por delitos graves de drogas, podrá postularse en el futuro para convertirse en residente permanente o ciudadano naturalizado.

Count 1: On or about June 23, 2017, in Hidalgo County, in the District ofNew Mexico, and elsewhere, the defendants, JOHN LEROY MILNE and MANUEL PAVON-RODRIGUEZ, unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, agreed, and acted interdependently with each other and with other persons whose names are known and unknown to the Grand Jury to commit an offense defined in 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l) and (b)(1)(B), specifically, distribution of 100 kilograms and more of marijuana. In violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Verdict: NOT GUILTY

Count 2: On or about June 23, 2017, in Hidalgo County, in the District of New Mexico, the defendants, JOHN LEROY MILNE and MANUEL PAVON-RODRIGUEZ, unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute a controlled substance, 100 kilograms and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana. In violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), and 18 U.S.C.§ 2. Verdict: NOT GUILTY