Thread: Suspect on hold for immigration

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Suspect on hold for immigration

AIMEE JUAREZ

Herald Staff Writer

ELLENTON - A 26-year-old woman arrested on a cocaine trafficking charge is also being held at the Manatee County jail on a federal immigration hold, according to immigration officials and an arrest report obtained by The Herald on Thursday.

Miriam Figueroa and Abraham Saucedo Lopez, 32, who was also arrested on cocaine trafficking charges June 30, are being detained on an immigration hold at the Manatee County jail, according to officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The two had been sharing an Ellenton home in the 800 block of Lefferingwell Avenue. But authorities have declined to confirm whether Lopez was connected with an Ellenton drug raid that netted $1.2 million of cocaine.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents and Manatee County sheriff's detectives arrested Figueroa on a first-degree felony charge of trafficking cocaine in excess of 400 grams the same night they raided the Ellenton home.

"The search of the residence revealed 56 kilograms (123 pounds) of powder cocaine in the kitchen area," according to Figueroa's arrest report, filed at the Manatee County courthouse. Figueroa, and her 15- or 16-month-old son, were the only people present at the home when the raid took place, according to the report.

The boy was taken into the custody of Child Protective Services that night, neighbors told The Herald. While authorities raided the home, detectives arrested Lopez just a few miles away in Palmetto. After conducting a routine traffic stop, canine units led authorities to the trunk of Lopez's silver 1996 Mercury, where they found a water cooler containing 13.2 pounds of cocaine.

Later that night, authorities arrested another man, Donald R. Hartwig, of Texas, at an Ellenton hotel on a first-degree felony charge of trafficking powdered cocaine. While Hartwig's arrest report does not summarize the reason for his arrest, the report cites Figueroa's home as the site of the offense.

Lopez was jailed on the same first-degree felony charge and was also arrested on charges of driving without a valid driver's license and on a DUI warrant, which was filed under his alias name, Felipe Real-Gutierrez.

Lopez remained at the Manatee County jail Thursday on $500,700 bond, a jail employee said. Figueroa also remained at the jail on $50,000 bond. Hartwig, 62, posted $50,000 bail and bonded out of the jail on Tuesday, court records show.

Despite repeated requests, Manatee County sheriff's officials declined to discuss the case with The Herald on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The case remains open and under investigation.

Court records show Hartwig and Figueroa are both scheduled to face Circuit Judge Peter A. Dubensky for an arraignment hearing Aug. 5. Lopez is also expected to attend an arraignment hearing that day before Circuit Judge Ed Nicholas.

Aimee Juarez, criminal justice reporter, can be reached at 745-7095 or at ajuarez@HeraldToday.com.

Drug trafficking - A job that this American Wont Do, but I am glad to see that those who enter the country illegally are finding a good honest source of income.