Federal Cocaine Conspiracy and Possession Found Not Guilty

The client was charged in federal court in Tampa, Florida with a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The Defendant's son-in-law and friend were also charged and were facing twenty years in federal prison if convicted. The client was also looking at deportation if he was convicted even though he had lived in the United States as a resident for over 30 years. Prior to trial, all of the other defendants agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the government. The client asserted his innocence and proceeded to trial. At trial, we were able to convince the Jury that our client lacked the knowledge legally required for conviction. The jury agreed and our client was found not guilty of the possession charge. However, because the jury could not reach a verdict on the conspiracy, a mistrial was declared on that count. Prior to a retrial, however, we filed a motion to dismiss on double jeopardy and collateral estoppel grounds. Before the retrial could start, however, the government agreed to dismiss the conspiracy count in exchange for our client admitting to one count of misprision of a felony. Our client received a sentence of time served; he was immediately released from custody, and he was not deported.