Wyoming immigration attorney faces trial for allegedly coercing witness
By John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press
April 14, 2010, 10:52AM


GRAND RAPIDS -- Attorney Jose Sandoval touts his own immigration experience in a profile for prospective clients.

Born and raised in Mexico, he entered the U.S. illegally in 1976 but became a legal resident a decade later and a citizen in 1990. His illegal entry led to challenges, but Sandoval -- who maintained he never misrepresented himself or used false documents -- graduated from UCLA School of Law and won admittance to the State Bar of Michigan.

"His own personal experience with the immigration process led him to believe that there was a great need for qualified and honest attorneys to help others become a part of this country and unify their families," Sandoval's Web site says.

Now, he's the one who needs help.

The Wyoming attorney is charged with obstructing justice and inducing a witness to commit perjury. He allegedly tried to convince a "material witness" -- who was jailed to ensure his court appearance -- to recant testimony against Sandoval's client, who was accused of producing fake government identification.

Sandoval also lied to a judge about secretly meeting the witness in jail, prosecutors alleged. His trial in U.S. District Court is April 26.

Because local assistant U.S. attorneys and U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Scoville, all assigned to the Western District, could be called to testify, the case is being handled by Eastern District Judge Avern Cohn.

Sandoval declined to comment other than to say he is innocent.

"I think the court will find the truth," he said.

Defense attorney Charles "Chip" Chamberlain said his client isn't guilty of the allegations. His client "enjoys a good reputation," and "We anticipate he will be vindicated."

The case began with a November 2008 investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Harlenne Perez-Trujillo, aka Rocio Hernandez-Garcia, was "manufacturing and trafficking in fraudulent U.S. and State of Michigan identification documents for the Hispanic illegal-alien community in the Greater Grand Rapids area," Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank wrote in a trial brief.

A confidential informant said Perez-Trujillo, concerned about other busts, closed her operation and planned to leave. She had packed her belongings when authorities showed up at her Grand Rapids home, records said.

She was held for illegal re-entry while the government investigated the fraud operation.

In early February 2009, she was indicted for the false documents. Miguel Angel Najera was held as a material witness.

"Najera testified before the grand jury that he knew Perez well, had delivered over 100 documents for her, recognized photos of her residence," Frank wrote.

Records showed Sandoval then contacted Najera's attorney, Sean Tilton, and asked to speak with Najera. Tilton refused because their clients' interests conflicted.

On March 3, 2009, Scoville convened a hearing. He said Sandoval called several times asking the court to provide access to the witness. Sandoval told the judge that "some relative" of Najera said he wanted to talk.

He acknowledged another Najera attorney, Raymond Kent, the federal public defender, had informed him verbally and in writing that Najera did not want to talk to him.

Sandoval insisted Najera wanted to "clarify some things that are not true."

It prompted this exchange:

Judge: "Did you talk to (the witness) directly or indirectly while he was detained under order of the court?"

Sandoval: "No, your Honor. Again, it was through other persons who he made known to me that he wanted to talk to me."

Judge: "OK."

Sandoval: "I haven't talked to him directly or otherwise, sent him messages or anything like that, no, especially with the strong advice from his counsel."

Scoville entered an order prohibiting Sandoval from talking to Najera without his attorney present.

Two days later, Najera, scheduled to give a deposition, said repeatedly he didn't want to testify. Asked if he sold documents for Perez-Trujillo, he said, "No."

Kent, his attorney, asked for a recess. Najera told the attorney Sandoval visited him Feb. 22, 2009, at the Newaygo County Jail, where federal prisoners are held, and asked him to recant prior grand-jury testimony, the prosecution said in court papers.

After brief testimony, Najera met with his attorneys, assistant U.S. attorneys and immigration special agent Daniel Gwyn.

He said Sandoval surprised him at the jail, and that Sandoval tried to get him to "fire" his attorneys and recant testimony, the prosecution said.

Najera said Sandoval told him he would not serve more than six months for perjury.

The next day, the agent interviewed Newaygo County Jail deputies, who witnessed the meeting, and obtained surveillance video. The prosecution said it showed Najera meeting with Sandoval.

He thought his jail visit would go unnoticed because he did not sign the log, the prosecution said.

Perez-Trujillo cooperated with authorities and served eight months for illegal re-entry. She was ordered back to Mexico, where she has two small children. She was not prosecuted for document fraud.





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