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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