Drug Trafficker Who Fled During Trial Captured

Assistant U. S. Attorney P. Kevin Mokhtari (619) 546-8402

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 22, 2017

SAN DIEGO – A man who fled in the middle of his three-day cocaine trafficking trial was arrested yesterday after being a fugitive for two months. Itai Enriquez-Rodriguez, 21, was arrested after being located in Gilroy near San Jose, California.

On July 7, 2016, Enriquez-Rodriguez was arrested at the Otay Mesa, California Port of Entry after being caught with three kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle. Shortly after his arrest, Enriquez-Rodriguez was released on bond. Following an investigation by Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enriquez-Rodriguez was indicted on conspiracy to import cocaine and importation of cocaine charges. Enriquez-Rodriguez persisted in his not-guilty plea and went to trial.

On June 21, 2017, Enriquez-Rodriguez’s trial began. At the end of the first day of trial, the Honorable Marilyn L. Huff ordered Enriquez-Rodriguez to return the following morning. The next morning, however, Enriquez-Rodriguez failed to appear. The parties recessed that morning to attempt to locate Enriquez-Rodriguez. During that recess, HSI agents discovered a Facebook post by Enriquez-Rodriguez’s brother depicting him and his brother, defendant Enriquez-Rodriguez. The brother’s Facebook account also included a photo of a man with a handgun with the caption, “He who laughs last, laughs the best. And I’m in no hurry.” Both of the images were posted to Facebook the same morning Enriquez-Rodriguez fled.

Finding that Enriquez-Rodriguez had voluntarily absented himself from trial, Judge Huff ruled the trial could continue in absentia. Trial concluded on June 23, 2017 with the jury finding Enriquez-Rodriguez guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine and importation of cocaine.

Over the next two months, the U.S. Marshals Service and HSI followed leads to help identify fugitive Enriquez-Rodriguez’s whereabouts. On August 21, 2017, the Marshals Service obtained information that Enriquez-Rodriguez was hiding out in his hometown of Gilroy, California. Following that lead, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Enriquez-Rodriguez in a vehicle outside his girlfriend’s residence.

On August 18, 2017, Enriquez-Rodriguez was indicted by a federal grand jury on bail jumping charges.

Enriquez-Rodriguez’s sentencing on the cocaine trafficking charges is scheduled for October 23, 2017 at 9:00 am before the Honorable Marilyn L. Huff.

DEFENDANT Case Numbers 17cr0059-H, 17cr2379-H

Itai Enriquez-Rodriguez Age: 21 Gilroy, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Import Cocaine; Importation of Cocaine – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 952, 960, 963

Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine

Bail Jumping – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 3146.

Maximum penalty: 10 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations
United States Marshals Service

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.