March 13, 2008
An Atlanta man was sentenced to 10 months in custory followed by 3 years of supervised release for making false statements in a Druge Enforcement Agency drug investigation.
Gilberto Perez-Banuchi, 42, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced March 13 by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story on the charge.
Perez-Banuchi told federal law enforcement officers that he observed large quantities of cocaine while present at a Lawrenceville residence during an unrelated drug transaction, according to U.S. Attonrey David E. Nahmias and the information in court. His claims were later included in an affidavit for the search of the residence, which led to DEA's seizure of 28 kilograms of cocaine and a .357 revolver.
However, the DEA later learned Perez-Banuchi had lied, and had actually observed the drugs when he and another individual broke into the residence to steal money.
Perez-Banuchi was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 5, 2007 on one count of making false statements to a federal agency, and pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 3.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the DEA and the Atlanta High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra J. Schansman prosecuted the case.
- www.northfulton.com
|
