Miami Criminal Defense Attorney on Bizarre Twist in Case Involving Idaho Detainees in Haiti - Legal Advisor a Fugitive
The man who has been serving as the "legal advisor" to Idaho church workers accused of trying to illegally take children out of Haiti is allegedly a fugitive and convicted felon who is wanted in connection with a human-trafficking ring. The New York Times is reporting that the self-styled "legal advisor" did jail time in the United States and is a suspect in a child prostitution ring in El Salvador.
Citing public records, the Times reported that a man with the same name and birthdate is wanted by the Miami police, U.S. Customs and U.S. Marshall for crimes including bank fraud in the U.S. and Canada, theft of U.S. government property and violating parole. Interpol is trying to determine if Puello is the same Jorge Anibal Torres Puello for whom an arrest warrant was issued in connection with luring women and girls from Central America and the Caribbean into prostitution. Puello has denied he is the same person.
However, a growing quantity of evidence is emerging to suggest that Puello is the man being sought by U.S. and Canadian authorities as well as Interpol. Dominican Republic records show an organization called the Sephardic Jewish Community, an organization to which Puello claims to belong, was registered by Jorge Torres Orellana Puello.
Puello's mother and stepfather in an interview with the Times said their son is the fugitive being sought by authorities. "That's him," said Ana Puello. "But those things that they say about him. I doubt they're true. He told me, 'Miami, I swear I didn't.' He would never hurt a child." Police also say they are close to confirming that Puello is the one being sought for trafficking children based on fingerprints and photographic evidence.
Even more compelling, Ana Puello confirmed that her son's wife was already convicted for her involvement in the child trafficking prostitution ring and that she remains in jail in El Salvador. Puello managed to leave the country but his wife was arrested and convicted. The trafficking ring was exposed last year after three children, 14, 15 and 16 reported they had been forced to pose naked after escaping the house where they were being held.
Evidence also has emerged indicating that Puello is not an attorney in his home country in the Dominican Republic as he had told the Haiti detainees. It appears that Puello approached the Central Valley Baptist Church to offer legal assistance to the detainees. The judge in the detainees' case has said there is no evidence that the detainees had any relationship with Puello before he contacted the church to offer his assistance in their case. Miami criminal attorney John Musca said, "It is always a good idea to verify an attorney's credential before retaining him. You can talk to other attorneys to get feedback or check with your state bar association."
If you or someone that you know is facing criminal charges it is vital that you retain an experienced Miami Criminal Defense Attorney without delay. Attorney John Musca is an aggressive criminal defense lawyer who can make the difference between a prison sentence and a dismissed criminal charge. Musca Law is on your side.
