(CNN) — Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez appeared virtually for his first initial court appearance Friday on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. Hernández was extradited from Honduras and arrived in the United States at 12:50 am Friday morning, according to US prosecutors.
Hernandez, who spoke in court through a translator, was expressionless when answering questions from Judge Stewart D. Aaron. Hernandez appeared on video wearing a light-colored shirt and blue jacket. He held the phone up to his ear as he listened to the proceedings.
Through his attorney, Hernández waived the right to a formal reading of the charges once morest him. The indictment in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York charges Hernandez with conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
Both sides have agreed that Hernandez will remain in custody, Judge Aaron said, but an attorney for Hernandez may decide to file a bond request later.
According to the indictment, Hernández associated with some of the most violent drug trafficking groups and received millions of dollars from a network that funneled cocaine through Honduras to the United States. He used the money, the indictment says, to enrich himself, finance his political rise and subsequently remain in power.
In return, Hernandez provided the trafficking organizations with police information that helped shield the organization’s leaders from criminal investigations, shielded the leaders from extradition to the U.S. and allowed them to commit acts of violence with virtually no consequence, the police say. US authorities.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 10, 2022 at 11 a.m.
With information from Mark Morales
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