Key witness deported before trial, allowing two alleged meth smugglers to be acquitted
Mar 2025·Location: Los Angeles, CA
Country of origin: Mexico
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Javier Hernandez, a cooperating witness prepared to testify in a federal methamphetamine case in California, was deported to Mexico by ICE in March 2025 without notifying prosecutors. The 2015 case involved nearly 22 pounds of methamphetamine discovered in a vehicle; without Hernandez's testimony linking the defendants to the smuggling operation, both co-defendants were acquitted of all charges. U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder noted ICE did not consult with Los Angeles prosecutors before removing him from the country.
Sources
- Trump’s ICE is deporting victims, witnesses and defendants before trial, report finds
independent.co.uk·May 12, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Deportation Helped Sink California Meth Case, Letting Two Accused Smugglers Walk Free
latintimes.com·Apr 8, 2026·archived copy
- Accused Drug Smugglers Walk Free After ICE Deports Key Witness
The Daily Beast·Apr 6, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Deportation Undermines Federal Drug Case
newser.com·Apr 6, 2026·archived copy
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