2005News

Quirino faces 10 to life

Federal judge Douglas Eaton read the five count indictment against Quirino Paulino Castillo. The indictment includes counts of drug trafficking and money laundering. The judge also ruled that Quirino (as he is most commonly referred to in the press) should be remanded without bail. As reported in the El Caribe, Quirino was extradited from the Dominican Republic last Saturday, and was arraigned yesterday at 11:00 am. The former army captain listened, with his head down and obviously scared, as federal assistant prosecutor David J. Berardinelli read the charges. Quirino managed to say “Not Guilty”, and the judge sent him to prison until trial. Quirino’s lawyers complained of his poor medical treatment while in custody and told the judge that his client needed treatment for his ulcers. Quirino was taken into the court uncuffed and only escorted by two federal marshals. Gone was the gaudy display of police force that was seen in the Dominican Supreme Court when the extradition was granted. Paulino Castillo wore just a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt. Sitting at the table ten yards from the judge’s bench, Quirino was able to turn around and greet some friends and family that were among the few people in the courtroom. The lawyers for Paulino Castillo had requested that the formal charges not be read in open court, but the judge denied the request. Upon the request of the defense lawyer, the judge ordered a medical team to evaluate the prisoner, and sent Quirino to the federal holding facility next to the courthouse in New York City. If convicted, Quirino Paulino Castillo will face sentences of between 10 years and life imprisonment on each count, plus a fine of US$7,000,000. Dominican authorities confirmed that the assets of Paulino will not be returned to family members.