Sentencing Delayed For Ex-Venezuela Judge In US Drug Case
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A former Venezuelan judge in a U.S. cocaine trafficking case linked to the government of former President Hugo Chavez has had his sentencing postponed.
A sentencing hearing was moved from Friday until Monday for Benny Palmeri-Bacchi, who pleaded guilty in November to charges of extortion, conspiracy to obstruct justice and money laundering conspiracy. Each charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors say Palmeri-Bacchi conspired with a former Venezuelan Interpol director to help traffickers move Colombian cocaine through Venezuela. The Interpol director and a former Venezuelan military intelligence chief were also indicted but remain in Venezuela.
Among the traffickers Palmeri-Bacchi admitted protecting was Jaime Alberto "Beto" Marin-Zamora, a top member of Colombia's North Valley Cartel. Marin-Zamora was extradited to the U.S. in 2010 and is serving a 16-year prison sentence.
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