Two Michigan residents accused of conspiracy to traffic cocaine were released from federal custody Thursday following a detention hearing before a federal judge in Texarkana.
Myrna Guadalupe Corrujedo, 34, and Manuel Hernandez, 60, were allegedly in possession of more than 10 kilos of powder cocaine when they were stopped Aug. 9 by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers as they traveled along Interstate 30 near Mount Pleasant, Texas, according to testimony given Thursday at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven.
At the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross told the court that the Michigan travel agency where Corrujedo works is currently under investigation for money laundering and that the owner's husband recently pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking in Michigan. Under questioning from Ross, Andrew Venable of the Criminal Investigation Division of DPS said Corrujedo has made 11 trips across the U.S. and Mexico border in the past two years and that Hernandez has made 10 trips in the same time period.
Venable said Corrujedo claimed she was traveling to Mexico to visit a boyfriend who had been deported while Hernandez claimed he was traveling to Mexico for cheap medicine and medical treatment. Venable said Hernandez was asked about the savings of traveling to Mexico for medical needs when gas and other travel expenses cost $500 or more per trip. Venable said Corrujedo and Hernandez claimed they became friends after being introduced to one another by the owner of Maria's Travel in Michigan and decided to save on gas and share driving by taking their trips to Mexico together.
Venable also testified about the Mercury Marquis in which the bundles of cocaine wrapped in cellophane and axle grease were discovered in a hidden compartment. The Marquis had been purchased by Hernandez with cash from a seller in New Braunsfels, Texas, in March. Title to the Marquis was transferred to Corrujedo in July, and the bill of sale was notarized by Corrujedo's travel agency boss.
Corrujedo's court-appointed lawyer, Craig Henry of Texarkana, argued that Corrujedo's criminal history is clean, with the exception of a shoplifting conviction, and that she is employed. Henry presented the court with letters from supporters of Corrujedo and a letter from her 10-year-old daughter. Corrujedo's mother and sister traveled from Michigan to attend and testify at her hearing.
Longview, Texas, lawyer Charles VanCleef, who is appointed to represent Hernandez, said his client has no criminal history. VanCleef said Hernandez's government disability payments provide the sole support for his family.
Ross implied that Hernandez's only source of income may not be his disability check. Ross noted that Hernandez paid cash for the Marquis and has two other vehicles registered in his name on which no money is owed. Ross argued that Corrujedo was excessively nervous during the Aug. 9 traffic stop because she was well aware that she was transporting a large quantity of cocaine.
"It's because she knew what she was doing," Ross argued.
Ross expressed concern that Corrujedo and Hernandez, both U.S. citizens, pose a risk of flight, as both have relatives in Mexico and their alleged drug trafficking represents a threat to others.
"If you're trafficking 10 kilos of cocaine, you are a danger to the community," Ross argued.
Craven agreed to release both defendants on $10,000 unsecured appearance bonds. They must both surrender their passports and limit their movements to the Eastern District of Michigan except when attending court hearings in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
Both Corrujedo and Hernandez entered not-guilty pleas Thursday to a two-count indictment that was issued Wednesday by a federal grand jury charging them with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Both charges are punishable by 10 years to life in prison and a possible fine up to $10 million. Both cases are scheduled for jury selection before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III in November.