Colombian Man Pleads Guilty To Visa Fraud Related To Drug Trafficking And Conspiracy To Possess With Intent To Distribute Marijuana

Click here for a copy Hector Diaz plea agreement

DENVER – Hector Diaz, age 50, of Colombia, pled guilty this morning before U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn to one count of visa fraud committed in facilitation of a drug trafficking crime and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana, federal authorities announced.  Diaz, who is free on bond, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. by the Honorable Judge Blackburn.

If convicted of visa fraud committed in facilitation of a drug crime, the defendant faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.  If convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana, Diaz faces not more than 5 years imprisonment, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the IRS – Criminal Investigations (IRS CI), and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Services (DSS).

Diaz is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys M.J. Menendez and Bradley Giles, with assistance regarding asset forfeiture from Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya Andrews.