United States v. Velazquez

Velazquez, indicted in 2008 on charges related to a fraudulent investment scheme, violated his bond just prior to his scheduled trial date and remained a fugitive for six months. Velazquez was apprehended and entered a plea of guilty to a single count of mail fraud. Despite pleading guilty and thereafter being continuously in custody, Velazquez refused to be brought to court for seven consecutive hearings in the case. Finally, pursuant to a “drag order,” marshals forcibly brought Velazquez to court. Velazquez sustained injuries in the process. The district court declined to enter another drag order, and Velazquez refused to appear for sentencing. The district court denied his retained lawyer’s motion to withdraw as counsel and sentenced Velazquez in absentia. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, rejecting arguments that the district court erred during the sentencing hearing by denying counsel’s motion to withdraw, finding Velazquez to be voluntarily absent, and failing to consider Velazquez’s cooperation as a basis for a reduced sentence. View "United States v. Velazquez" on Justia Law