26619: Craig (news) Ex-Aristide Security Chief Gets Prison (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Dan Craig <sak-pase@bimini.ws>

Ex - Aristide Security Chief Gets Prison
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 19, 2005
Filed at 8:02 p.m. ET

MIAMI (AP) -- The former security chief of ousted Haitian President 
Jean-Bertrand Aristide was sentenced to about three years in prison for his 
involvement in a cocaine smuggling operation.

Oriel Jean, 40, apologized to prosecutors, his family and U.S. District Judge 
Jose Martinez during his sentencing Friday on a money laundering charge.

He had faced up to 20 years in prison, but was given a lighter sentence in 
exchange for testimony in other cases. A three-year investigation resulted in 
the arrests of 14 Haitians who held top government and private jobs during the 
Aristide administration.

Jean headed Aristide's palace security unit from 2001 to 2003 and was arrested 
in March 2004, after flying from the Dominican Republic to Toronto on a valid 
Canadian visa.

Aristide was forced out under U.S. pressure in February 2004 and is living in 
exile in South Africa. He has not been charged or directly implicated in drug 
trafficking.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Aristide-Security-Chief.html