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Later that same day, HSI special agents interviewed
Carlos R. Springer, 41, of Hampton, Ga., who was the
performance leader for the shift of ramp employees who
off-loaded the baggage on Flight 364. During a search of
Springer's cellular telephone, special agents found
coded incriminating text messages between Springer and
Marroquin around the time of the arrival of the flight
which concerned a missing bag.
The investigation revealed that Marroquin recruited
Rondon to locate the suitcase of drugs from the aircraft
and showed Rondon a picture of the bag from Marroquin's
cellular telephone in advance of the arrival of the
flight. Marroquin, Rondon and Springer were charged in
the same indictment May 1 with conspiracy to possess
with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and
heroin, and attempting to import methamphetamine and
heroin into the United States from Mexico.
A
federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment
June 6 which also charged Stephanie Baxter, 26, of
Atlanta, with concealing and harboring Marroquin while
he remained a fugitive in this case. Baxter was in the
process of selling Marroquin's assets so that Marroquin
could supposedly flee to his native Guatemala. HSI
special agents foiled the plan and arrested Marroquin at
a residence in Coral Springs, Fla., May 8
The sentencings for Marroquin and Rondon have not
yet been scheduled. Marroquin and Rondon could
receive maximum sentences of life in prison and
fines of up to $10,000,000. In determining the
actual sentences, the court will consider the United
States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding
but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most
offenders. Springer's and Baxter's cases remain
pending in federal court.
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