US Federal Judge Refuses to Delay Trial of Serafin Zambada

Borderland Beat

 

Addressing FB account with photos depicting a flashy lifestyle, Zambada's attorney insists his client did not even have a Facebook account, but  stopped short in denying  it was not  his client in the photos.

A U.S. federal judge today denied a request by Serafin Zambada Ortiz, son of alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, for a trial postponement, on his pending drug trafficking charges..

 

The request was made on Tuesday, by Zambada’s attorneys in San Diego Federal Court, and was denied by Federal Judge Dana M. Sabraw on Thursday.  Judge Sabraw and ordered that the process to start as scheduled on  February 3rd in San Diego.

Sabraw (at left) did grant a request to delay a hearing scheduled for this Friday, scheduled to commence on 17 January, delaying the hearing to  March, as requested Zambada's lawyers Ortiz.

Zambada Ortiz, 23 years, is of  U.S. citizenship, born in San Diego, and was arrested on 20 November at the Dennis DeConcini international crossing in Nogales, Arizona, when attempting to enter the United States with his wife via the pedestrian bridge.

Zamabada last appeared in count in November  in San Diego federal court where he pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

Serafin Zambada Ortiz, 23, was arrested on a warrant in Nogales, Ariz. He and his wife were trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico in the pedestrian lane at the border crossing.

A grand jury in San Diego indicted Zambada in September on one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine and cocaine.

Zambada, who is in federal custody, said little in court in November, except to enter his plea and respond to a few brief questions.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Crawford ordered Zambada to remain held without bail, noting that the prosecution and the defense had agreed to that status. She said defense attorneys can ask for bail to be set at a future hearing.

Outside the courtroom, defense attorney Mike McDonnell denied reports of social media accounts that appeared to belong to Zambada and featured photos of cash, guns, designer clothing and expensive cars. He said Zambada didn’t even have a Facebook account.

“He is a very, very nice young man,” McDonnell said.

Notimex and UT San DIego