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Date: 05-31-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Minor Peralta-Perez, aka Amilcar Lara and Mynor Mejia Benitez
Case Number: 1:19-cr-68
Judge: Anthony J. Trenga
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Arlington County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Lena Munasifi
Defendant's Attorney: Todd Stewart Baldwin for Minor Adermi Peralta-Perez
Description:
Alexandria, VA - Minor Peralta-Perez, aka Amilcar Lara, 44, and his son, Mynor Mejia Benitez,
A Guatemalan man was sentenced today to nearly three and a half years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, Minor Peralta-Perez, aka Amilcar Lara, 44, and his son, Mynor Mejia Benitez, 25, distributed over half a kilogram of cocaine to a confidential source over a 14-month time period. Mejia Benitez was his father’s source of supply of cocaine. Peralta-Perez introduced the confidential source to Mejia Benitez during the summer of 2017, after the CS requested to purchase ounce-quantities of cocaine. For the majority of the transactions, Peralta Perez and the CS traveled to Mejia Benitez’s residence, in Dumfries, to conduct the cocaine transactions. During their first encounter, Mejia Benitez pulled a Smith and Wesson pistol from his waistband during the cocaine transaction. On other occasions, Mejia Benitez’s two minor children were in the residence during the sale of cocaine.
During the conspiracy, Peralta Perez was deported to Guatemala after a driving while intoxicated charge in Alexandria. Despite his deportation, Peralta Perez directed his associates based in the United States to maintain his drug operations and made his intentions known that he would re-enter the United States. In December 2018, Peralta Perez illegally reentered the United States at the Texas border and was subsequently prosecuted.
On March 15, Mejia Benitez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in this conspiracy and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Charges:
21 U.S.C. § 846 Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
(1)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) Distribution of Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
(2)
Outcome: 05/31/2019 42 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Anthony J. Trenga: Sentencing held on 5/31/2019 for Minor Adermi Peralta-Perez (1) for Count(s) 1 and 2. U.S. appeared through Lena Munasifi. Defendant appeared with counsel, Todd Baldwin, and Spanish Interpreter Eva Desrosiers. Government's corrections to the PSIR have been made. Defendant has no objections to the PSIR. Government requests that the defendant be sentenced to 41 months. Defendant requests a sentence of 24 months. The defendant qualifies for the new statutory safety valve provision which nullifies the mandatory minimum sentence requirement, however, because the defendant does not meet all the criteria set forth in USSG §5C1.2(a) for a two-level reduction under §2D1.1(b)(18), the Court has utilized its sentencing authority to apply a two-level downward variance, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3553(a). Defendant sentenced to: BOP for 41 months, with credit for time served, which consists of 41 months as to Count 1 and 41 months as to Count 2, all to run concurrently; 4 years SR, with special conditions, which consists of 4 years as to Count 1 and 3 years as to Count 2, all to run concurrently; $200 SA ($100 as to each count). Defendant remanded. (Court Reporter R. Montgomery)(dzir) (Entered: 05/31/2019)
05/31/2019 43 CONSENT ORDER OF FORFEITURE as to Minor Adermi Peralta-Perez. Signed by District Judge Anthony J. Trenga on 5/31/2019. (dzir) (Entered: 05/31/2019)
05/31/2019 44 JUDGMENT as to Minor Adermi Peralta-Perez (1) for Count(s) 1 and 2: BOP for 41 months, with credit for time served, which includes 41 months as to Count 1 and 41 months as to Count 2, all to run concurrently; 4 years SR, with special conditions, which includes 4 years as to Count 1 and 3 years as to Count 2, all to run concurrently; $200 SA. Signed by District Judge Anthony J. Trenga on 5/31/2019. (dzir) (Entered: 05/31/2019)
05/31/2019 45 SEALED STATEMENT OF REASONS as to Minor Adermi Peralta-Perez (dzir) (Entered: 05/31/2019)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: