Back in May, a judge dismissed immigration charges against Cuban terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, arguing he had been tricked in the interview that led to his indictment. At the time, it looked like BushCo threw the case, not wanting to convict one of their favored terrorists.
But now, two of his associates have pled guilty to charges of obstruction of justice in connection with his case.
Two associates of Cuban exile Luis Posada Carriles have pleadedguilty in the Western District of Texas to charges of obstruction of justice inconnection with the U.S. government�s investigation of Posada Carriles, MichaelJ. Mullaney, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas announcedtoday.
Osvaldo Mitat, age 65 and Santiago Alvarez, age 66, both natives of Cuba, eachentered pleas of guilty today to a one-count superseding criminal informationthat charged each defendant with obstruction of justice. The plea occurredbefore U.S. District Judge David Briones. Each defendant faces a maximumsentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, three years supervisedrelease and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing for both has been scheduledfor Feb. 1, 2008.
According to the statement of facts agreed upon by each defendant, on or aboutDec. 18, 2006, a federal grand jury in the Western District of Texas subpoenaedboth Mitat and Alvarez to testify in the course of its investigation intoallegedly false statements made to the government made by Posada Carriles abouthis unlawful entry to the United States and other matters.
On or about Jan. 11, 2007, each was granted immunity from prosecution from anyself-incriminating statements and each was ordered to testify by the U.S.District Court in the Western District of Texas. Not withstanding the grant ofimmunity and court order compelling their testimony, the defendants refused totestify before the grand jury about the subject of its investigation. By doingso, Mitat and Alvarez did unlawfully and corruptly influence, obstruct andimpede, and endeavor to influence, obstruct, and impede the due administrationof justice.
Among others investigating this case were lawyers from the Counter-Terrorism section of DOJ.
Maybe I’m being overly optimistic. But if they’re getting pleas from Posada’s associates, does that mean things might move forward?