Sunday, September 23, 2018

Oscar Martinez-Hernandez, aka "Cali" Found Guilty of the Murder of a Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Osvaldo Albarati-Casanas


SAN JUAN, P.R. – Today, after a 11-day jury trial, a jury found Oscar Martínez-Hernández, a.k.a. "Cali;" guilty of the murder of Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati-Casañas, a Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez Vélez. Lieutenant Albarati was murdered on February 26, 2013.

On January 28, 2015 a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six count indictment charging nine individuals for the murder of Lieutenant Albarati. Defendants Ángel D. Ramos-Cruz, a.k.a. "Api;" Miguel Díaz-Rivera, a.k.a. "Bolo;" Juan Quiñones-Meléndez, a.k.a. "El Manco;" Orlando Mojica-Rodríguez, a.k.a. "Yogui;" Jayson Rodríguez-González, a.k.a. "Gonzo;" and Alexander Rosario de León, a.k.a. "Coquí;" are awaiting trial. Defendants Carlos Rosado-Rosado, a.k.a. "Cano;" and Jancarlos Velázquez-Vázquez, a.k.a. "Jan," pleaded guilty on August 13, 2018.

During trial, the government proved that during the period of time prior to Albarati’s murder, Oscar Martínez-Hernández, a.k.a. "Cali;" was incarcerated at the MDC facility pending sentencing in another federal drug case. Martínez-Hernández would consistently use cell phones and had other contraband in his possession while in the facility. Martínez-Hernández and other inmates were angered that Lieutenant Albarati, a member of BOP’s Special Investigations Section, was consistently searching for contraband in the facility and challenged the leadership of the inmate population, including Oscar Martínez-Hernández. The government proved that Martínez-Hernández and these other inmates made a plan to pay individuals in the free community to murder Lt. Albarati as he went home from work.

At trial, witnesses testified that Martínez-Hernández watched from his cell on the evening of February 26, 2013 as Lt. Albarati left in his white Veloster and signaled to other inmates who were communicating with the hired gunman using a contraband cell phone. The gunman waited 2

on the shoulder of Highway 22 near the Buchanan toll. The gunman stalked Lt. Albarati’s vehicle and eventually gunned down Lt. Albarati as he drove home. The gunmen used four .40 caliber fully automatic Glock pistols to commit the murder.

Evidence showed that Oscar Martínez-Hernández had agreed to contribute money for the murder and assisted with signaling to other inmates when Lt. Albarati left work. The jury found the defendant guilty of all six counts including the murder of a federal officer, murder for hire, conspiracy, and related firearms offenses.

"Throughout his law enforcement career, Lieutenant Albarati’s service was exemplary, selfless and courageous," said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. "With this conviction we take another step towards our goal of holding those who carried out this reprehensible and senseless murder accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice will continue to honor Lieutenant Albarati’s legacy as a public servant, his dedication to safeguard the community, and his integrity."

The murder of government employees and officials is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for any term of years or for life. Murder for hire is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for any terms of years or for life. Use of a firearm resulting in death is also punishable by a maximum term of life.

The case was investigated by the FBI with the collaboration of the U.S.s Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Miami Field Office, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, DEA, ATF, the United States Marshals Service, ICE-HSI, the Puerto Rico Police Department, the San Juan Municipal Police, and other law enforcement agencies that covered hundreds of leads developed as a result of the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas W. Cannon and Max Pérez-Bouret.

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