Judge Threatens to Toss DEA Agent's Plea in Corruption Case

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

By Associated Press
June 24, 2021 03:12 PM

TAMPA, FLORIDA - A federal judge Wednesday threatened to throw out the guilty plea of a veteran U.S. narcotics agent who conspired with a Colombian cartel money launderer — an unexpected twist that could derail one of the most egregious misconduct cases in the history of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell was expected to sentence the disgraced agent, Jose I. Irizarry, but refused to do so over what she called a "totally unacceptable" legal dispute.

"I have never seen anything like this," Honeywell said, postponing the sentencing indefinitely. "I'm not even sure at this point I'm going to accept this plea."

The heated hearing in Tampa federal court came nine months after Irizarry admitted parlaying his expertise in money laundering into a life of luxury that prosecutors said was bankrolled by millions of dollars he diverted from DEA control. The spoils included a $30,000 Tiffany diamond ring for his wife, luxury sports cars and a $767,000 home in the Caribbean resort city of — on top of residences in south Florida and Puerto Rico.

Read more: https://www.voanews.com/usa/judge-threatens-toss-dea-agents-plea-corruption-case

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Jose I. Irizarry

[PerceptionManagement]

1. Irizarrys ostentatious habits & tales of raucous yacht parties had become legendary among DEA agents

and yet the geniuses at the DEA never figured it out or were paid off

[ancianita]

2. A judge is not sure he's going to accept a plea of Guilty? WHAT? Because stealing DEA $$ is OK??

What the hell kind of judge is this guy.

[rpannier]

4. The dispute centers around this issue

At issue is a disagreement over whether the money Irizarry raided from undercover DEA accounts amounted to a misuse of government funds, as Irizarry contends, or the laundering of drug proceeds — a more serious offense that could add a decade to what was already expected to be a lengthy prison sentence.

[ancianita]

5. Either way he's pled guilty. The judge, Honeywell, doesn't explain what her vacating the plea

even means, though. That's the part I don't understand.

Thanks for your post.

[appalachiablue]

3. Not subtle in his lifestyle was he, unreal; criminal.