Leniency Denied for Armed Drug Trafficker After 14th Illegal Entry Arrest
- Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:25am by
Meredith Jessup
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A 30-year-old citizen of Mexico was sentenced Tuesday to serve the next 12 years in a federal prison after being arrested in Michigan and convicted of firearms and drug trafficking charges.
According to U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis, Francisco Javier Rivera-Hidalgo was arrested earlier this year at his Wyoming, Mich., apartment where police found multiple firearms, approximately 330 pounds of marijuana, two kilograms of cocaine, more than $37,000 in cash and other drug-trafficking paraphernalia.
In July, Rivera-Hidalgo pleaded guilty and asked U.S. District Judge Janet T. Neff for leniency in his sentence. But according to the U.S. Department of Justice, Rivera-Hidalgo’s request was denied after having illegally re-entered the U.S. at least 14 separate times in the past. In fact, Judge Neff exceeded a probation officer’s recommendation that Rivera-Hidalgo serve just over 10 years in prison.
The convicted felon’s defense attorney, nevertheless, claimed that his client’s crimes were “completely out of character for him.” Except for immigration issues, Rivera-Hidalgo, a married father of two, both of whom are U.S. citizens, had never been in trouble before, attorney David Kaczor said.
In addition, Kaczor claimed the massive quantities of drugs found in his client’s apartment were not his, but that his client “stored large amounts of drugs for others, and was paid $20 for each pound of marijuana he stored, and $50 for each pound he sold.”
It is believed Rivera-Hidalgo had ties to Mexican drug cartel operations, though he operated a long distance from the United States’ southern border. “Although he has refused to discuss the involvement of others in this offense, one can only surmise that he is in fear of retaliation against his sister here and his family in Mexico,” Kaczor wrote in a sentencing memorandum.
The defendant, in a letter to the court, said he did not understand legal procedures, but “I do understand what would happen to my family if I cooperated with the police.”
The defendant’s wife, Ana, described him as “a great father, hard worker and always responsible.” Meanwhile, his defense attorney also claimed that his income as a trafficker was going to support family in the U.S. and in Mexico and that his client got into selling marijuana after he was laid off as a drywall finisher.
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Comments (78)
ChiRho4Life
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 8:16am330…the new epic movie about a humble mexican smuggler who becomes an anchor-baby kingpin….SMUGGLERS!!!! TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!! (Hell, Michigan, that is….)
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 8:11amI wish they would shot the drug deals instead. Now that he is in jail, my taxes will feed, clothe, and house him for the next 12 years. No thanks. A bullet is much cheaper.
Report Post »bcarron4
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 8:03amI guess selling pot does not count as criminal activity. Maybe he can pass the next 12 years “Dreaming” of being a good citizen.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:51amSo, 13 is ok but 14? Now you have pushed it.
Report Post »ARIZONA VETERAN
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:23pmperfect observation
Report Post »Derfel Cadarn
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:30amFunny if he had been actually born in this country the possession of a quarter oz, of pot would get him an equal sentence. Who`da thunk it.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:23amHave we become a nation of wimps and gutless politicians ? Send this guy to Singapore or China, at least THEY have the guts do what should be done. Now we have to feed this illegal who will probably get out early anyway, then just return to his normal criminal activities. Gutless politicans and judges, if there is no fear of punishment why do we get surprised when the crime rate rises ? Gutless politicians and judges are NOT looking out for us. Sad, sad, sad.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:14amMaybe we could talk Hollywood into only buying thier drugs from hot Sweedish chicks and stop buying anything from Mexico. That way we would end up with a flood of illegal Hot Sweedish chicks.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:05amI like your thinking
Report Post »justice
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:59amWent to get my Drivers license re-newed and got the third drgree on every question asked and had to sign paper after paper. Look over here,s a chick who can only say a few words of english, just shook head alot and all she needed was an address showing she lived in the township. Got her picture and was out the door. They get buy, and we Americans stand and take it. We Americans are now being discriminated against.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:54amA few well placed land mines would take care of our mexican problem. Very cheap, very effective.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:12amBorder? I don’t see no stinking border………………
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:40amGood for the judge! But, not so fast my friends. The real criminals here are our federal legislators who has failed to secure our borders. They are the ones who should be put in prison. There are only 18 specific duties given to our federal government by the constitution. Argueably the most important of them is protecting our country. Multiple administrations have ignored this problem and failed in their number one duty. I don’t say that illegals get a pass, but let’s face it. Had they done the fence after Regan‘s 1986 amnesty like they said they would this story probably doesn’t happen. We spend billions to protect the citizens of Iraq and Afghanastan but turn a blind eye to our own safety and security.
Report Post »IVillageIdiot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:25amNEW LAW: Any US citizen, that successfully tips off law enforcement to any shipment or cache of drugs/arms/loot, is entitled to 50% of the cash, 50% of any arms/loot proceeds after it’s sale at GVT auction, TAX FREE!
If I’d of ONLY known there was $37K in cash in that house, and I could have called the police and say “I’ll split it with ya”….. MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY!!!!!
Imagine how quickly the chain of snitches and informants would start turning these guys over in exchange for half the haul, tax free!??!?? We would have teams of people hunting them like foxes in the English country-side. Do you know what that would do to their networks and infiltration routes?
Bada-Bing!
(but no…. we’ve got a bunch of half-witted, socialist, turd-buckets leading us into mindless oblivion and servitude, great…)
Report Post »IVillageIdiot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:19amBONUS IDEA: In those Socialist countries that allow drug use, we ought to be taking the confiscated drugs, sell them at 1/2 the market price in THOSE countries, and split that with informants too!
That would also cause the market for this stuff to tank, back-handing the cartels and reducing their marketabilty so as to pull some MORE cash out of their pockets….
I don‘t understand why we aren’t cutting their throats at every turn?
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:16pmThose are good ideas idiot but aren’t the cops already getting most of the valuables from the drug stings? I remember a case where a bust was right on the border of two counties and the sheriffs were fighting over who got to keep the stash of guns.
I would add a law requiring any employer who hires non english speaking employees to have some official identification by the police done and certified. If they knowingly hire illegals, it’s the death penalty for them.
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:07amReady to Act yet ? WE can control OUR Borders if the Government won’t.
Report Post »hickoryrat
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:59amGet the circus on the road,thousands of patriots will flock to aid you.
Report Post »iheartusa
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:46pmWe the people, who love America and what it stands for, need to put serious pressure on the new Congress to address ALL immigration. If you want to be a part of this, go to http://www.numbersusa.com and contact your elected officials! Thank you fellow Americans!
Report Post »felina g
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:50amHe is just misunderstood.
Report Post »phil1765
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:37amHis wife described him as a great father and a hard worker and always responsible. First and foremost, the example you set for your kids is just as important as how you treat your kids, and teaching them to completely ignore a coutries laws is not exactly what I would call father of the year material. Come to this country legally, quit being a freaking drug mule and get a real job and then you have my endorsment.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:39amDitto.
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:24amWhat the h—???????? 14 times? What’s wrong with this picture? NOTHING according to his attorney. Good grief! Send his rear end back to Mexico! We don’t need to pay for his 3 hots and a cot here!
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:17am” In addition, Kaczor claimed the massive quantities of drugs found in his client’s apartment were not his, but that his client “stored large amounts of drugs for others, and was paid $20 for each pound of marijuana he stored, and $50 for each pound he sold.”
This just about sums up the idiocy our judicial system has become. I mean it‘s not his and he didn’t get a whole lot for storing and selling so no harm no foul right? I guess FYI for drug dealers, you can sell just don’t you dare make a profit.
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:06amLeniency? At least 14 times?
This guy is lucky to have his butt thrown in prison for 12 years. I’d give him life.
Report Post »Donald J
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:04amDunno if this guy had a work Visa or what but 14 different times he was charged?? Makes you wonder where hell this country is going. Get him out of our jail and get his sorry ass back to Mexico and shut down the border. He is only one example of what is wrong with Immigration Policies.
Report Post »iheartusa
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:39pmHe stole a drywalling job from an American! Oh, that’s right, it‘s a job Americans don’t want. B.S!!! We the people, who love America and what it stands for, have stopped the DREAM Act for almost 10 years. We need to put serious pressure on the new Congress to address ALL immigration, through securing our border, e-verify every employee, ending birthright citizenship and SO much more. If you want to be a part of this, go to http://www.numbersusa.com and get on board! Thank you fellow Americans!
Report Post »chexfive
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:11pmIHEARTUSA.
Report Post »Yes, you are exactly right. NumbersUSA is the way to go, they keep you informed with congressional alerts and they give you all the tools to fire back at the Politico’s almost instantly. Calling, Faxing and emailing has never been faster or easier for us Americans. NumbersUSA is you information and action source for all your illegal political action. NOW, GET OVER THERE AND USE THE FREE TOOLS!
Donate if you can, $10, $20 bucks will help! Also swing over to ALIPAC.us, they have much news that you will never see anywhere else, just go into discussions for discussions and news about illegal immigration by fed, state and localities. Go into General Discussion/other news and topics fro news from other sources, a lot you won’t find even if you mull over 10 different news site, very informative, give $20 bucks, these people are also trying to save your country and secure our borders.
FlatFoot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:01amHad it not been for the decent quantity of drugs and the guns I’m quite certain there would have been a 15th time. And a 16th time. And a 17th time… wash rinse repeat ad nauseam.
Now he gets 3 hots and a cot, and no worries of deportation, for the next decade or so and all on taxpayer dollars. Big deal.
Report Post »american1st
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:47amhe must have been an “innocent by default” the first 13 times..
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:47amThe fact that he is a married father of two means that he jeopardize at least three people in his family and that makes him just that much worse to me. He endangered his children and that should call for an additional charge and sentence.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:41amif he really wanted leniency he should’ve contacted Johnny Sutton to give him a golden border pass .
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:40am14 strikes and you’re in.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:12amIf the dream act passed and he went to school in prison, he could of become a citizen. To bad the haters stopped this bill. Poor guy………he got tea bagged
Report Post »Eagle07
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:34pmThey will probably allow him to apply for a green card while in prison.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:40amThey should add 5 extra years for each of the 14 other offensenses.
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:39amIf there was ever a case of miscarriage of justice…..this is not it.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:54amA 30-year-old citizen of Mexico
—————
Does he still have time to enrol in a community college to get US citizenship
Report Post »or will his anchor babies be sponsoring him ?
Anyhoo, he shouldn’t worry.
If he doesn’t get amnesty for being an illegal alien,
he can count on getting a pardon by Hussain .
Either way, life is gooood.
KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:23amYes America! Our country is more secure than ever! It only takes 14 arrests to get illegal foreign criminals thrown in jail instead of the usual 20 or 30!
Thank you Obama Adminstration! YOU TRAITORS!
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:31amJust watch everyone! Now that the census results are out the propaganda stories are already running. “America in population decline”, “America has lowest population increase since 1930′s” Even though we had 10% population growth which is plenty and the majority was from illegals, minorities, and foreigners. But they will run the story as an excuse that we need to increase immigration to the USA, open the doors wider, make easier paths to citizenship, and more amnesty programs!
Report Post »Just Watch, it is starting!
Dustyluv
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:48amPerfect candidate for the Dream Act…
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:43amAfter 14th arrest??? What was wrong with doing this after the 13th, 12th, 11th, etc.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:34amWhat ever happened to three strikes and your out?
Report Post »Oh, that probably only applies to AMERICAN CITIZENS!!
Wish I could get 13 second chances!
Cemoto78
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:15amLiving in a border state this is not uncommon at all. Seems these illegals have numerous names and can juggle them at will when they are arrested. By the time their fingerprints come back our justice system has released them to appear. As far as I’m concerned, this pos received leniency by not doing either life or the death penalty. Really, isn’t it time WE get serious about our open borders?
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:19amMaybe Barry, in the intrest of “justice” will commute his sentence to time served. After all, he said he was sorry.
Report Post »Barry’s hero, Mao, cleaned the drugs out of China in about a year. He used his powers of persuasion to get drug users and dealers to correct their attitude. Of course the persuasion used was a small caliber bullet in the head.
Maybe Marism isn’t all bad.
Xcori8r
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:51amEverything will be OK. — We’ll take care of his kids.
Report Post »redline70
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:48amIs this the same guy that got the two border patrol agents arrested and convicted? There can’t be that many illegal aliens in the U. S. It has to be the same guy. Maybe we should build a fence or something.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:41pmGet that MEXICAN DIRT WEED outta here!
We smoke BETTER than that!
Stop trying to flood the streets with that seedy, stemmy, pissy smelling, unflushed shwag!
We don’t want it!
Cali Kush baby!
Report Post »