U.S. Department of Justice
Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez
United States Attorney
District of Puerto Rico

Torre Chardón Bldg., Suite 1201
350 C. Chardón Avenue
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918
(787) 766-5656

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 5, 2008

TWO ATTORNEYS INDICTED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES FOR CONSPIRACY TO TAMPER AND BRIBE A GOVERNMENT WITNESS

SAN JUAN, PR - Attorney Ramón Delgado-Rodríguez, aka “Bronco” was arrested today by federal authorities for conspiracy to tamper with a government witness, and aiding and abetting others to tamper and bribe a government witness at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, PR. Attorney Miguel A. Arroyo-Arroyo, also charged for his participation in this conspiracy, is still at large. These charges are part of a superseding indictment that was presented to a federal Grand Jury earlier today. The other 44 defendants who are listed on the superseding indictment were previously charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses at the Victor Berríos Public Housing in the Municipality of Yabucoa, on August 2, 2007.

The object of the conspiracy was to prevent a cooperating government witness from providing testimony to Federal Officials or in any judicial proceeding, and to force the United States Government to dismiss the Indictment against one or more of the co-defendants in Criminal No. 07-318(PG). On or about November 2, 2007, two unidentified attorneys visited a government cooperating witness at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), without the authorization of his attorney of record. The unidentified attorneys attempted to buy the witness’ silence. On November 6, 2007, the defendants’ began paying off the witness in exchange for his recanted testimony in favor other previously accused defendants. During the period from November 6, 2007, through the return of the Superseding Indictment, over $8,000 were wired through Western Union to the cooperator’s commissary account and to other straw-names provided by the cooperator.

During the period of time when money was being wired to the cooperating witness’ account, Attorneys Ramón Delgado-Rodríguez, aka “Bronco,” and Miguel A. Arroyo-Arroyo, visited the cooperating witness several times without the knowledge or authorization of the cooperator’s appointed attorney. These two attorneys attempted to corruptly persuade the cooperator to sign false statements against Federal Officials, and make exculpatory statements to favor other members of the conspiracy.

Specifically, on December 1, 2007, Attorney Ramón Delgado-Rodriguez, aka “Bronco,” visited the cooperator and told him the leaders of the narcotics’ organization, [1] Cruz Roberto Ramos Gonzalez, aka “Robert Belleza”, and [2] Jose Manuel Zabala Marti, aka “Manolo”, wanted the cooperator to sign a sworn statement falsely representing that he did not know Robert and the others, and that he had never met with them, in exchange for which he would receive money.

“Robert Belleza,” the leader of this Drug Trafficking Organization remains a fugitive. On December 7, 2007, Attorney Ramón Delgado-Rodriguez, aka “Bronco,” prepared a sworn statement which contained false information, and which would materially affect the pending Criminal Case. Attorney Delgado-Rodriguez directed the cooperator to sign and initial the sworn statement. On January 4, 2008, the attorney had the cooperator sign another false sworn statement. The purpose of the statements was to deprive the United States of the truthful testimony of the cooperator, thereby adversely affecting the viability of the criminal case so significantly that it would have to be dismissed.

The defendants who participated in this conspiracy along with the attorneys are: the leader of the drug trafficking organization, Cruz Roberto Ramos-González, aka “Robert Belleza,” the first lieutenant of the organization José Manuel Zabala-Marti, aka “Manolo,” Jean Carlos Medina-Flores, aka “Yankee,” and Héctor O. Laboy-Vega, aka “Conejo.”

“The actions committed by these two attorneys are an embarrassment for the legal profession. Instead of upholding the law, these lawyers have flagrantly violated the most basic tenets of our judicial system. Their actions threaten to undermine the public trust in our system of law and order, and constitute an unprecedented disregard of the principles which guide us as officers of the court, the pursuit of truth and justice,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez during a press conference.

Penalties for the offenses alleged in counts seven and eight (conspiracy to tamper with a government witness; and aiding and abetting the tampering of a government witness) are: up to ten (10) years in prison, and fines of up to $250,000. Penalties for bribery (count nine), are up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

The FBI is the lead agency of this investigation, and Metropolitan Detention Center Warden Anthony Haynes, along with his personnel, provided substantial assistance. Assistant US Attorney Dina Ávila-Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.