REPRESENTATIVE CASES*
UNITED STATES v. HARRIS
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2025)
Client charged with health care fraud sentenced to probation.
UNITED STATES v. PEREZ
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2025)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics sentenced to 232 months when the government sought a sentence of 360 months. The sentencing guideline range was 292 - 365 months.
UNITED STATES v. PEREKREST
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2025)
Client charged in multi-defendant narcotics distribution conspiracy sentenced to time served.
UNITED STATES v. JOHN DOE
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2025)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics sentenced to 48 months. The guideline sentencing range was 108 - 135 months.
UNITED STATES v. STEWART
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2024)
Client charged for second time with being a felon in possession of a firearm sentenced to 46 months.
UNITED STATES v. FAJARDO
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2024)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics sentenced to time served.
UNITED STATES v. BAILEY
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2024)
Client initially charged with narcotics and weapons offense sentenced to 24 months for weapons offense.
UNITED STATES v. WELLS
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2024)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics sentenced to 60 months.
UNITED STATES v. STONE
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2023)
Client charged with narcotics offenses faced a sentencing guideline of 188 - 235 months. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a binding plea agreement calling for a sentence of 60 months.
UNITED STATES v. GLASGOW
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2023)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics sentenced to 60 months.
UNITED STATES v. RANGEL
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2023)
Client charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering sentenced to 40 months.
UNITED STATES v. MEDINA
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2022)
Client charged with participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy initially faced a mandatory minimum 120 month sentence. Mr. Balarezo successfully obtained a plea agreement calling for a 90 month sentence.
UNITED STATES v. GREENE
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2022)
Client charged with weapons offenses sentenced to 1 year probation.
UNITED STATES v. FUNDERBURK
Circuit Court of Maryland for Baltimore City (2022)
Trial of client charged with narcotics distribution. The jury deadlocked and a mistrial was declared.
UNITED STATES v. MILLER
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2022)
Client charged with assaulting a police officer and other offenses in relation to January 6 insurrection sentenced to 33 months.
UNITED STATES v. CURZIO
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2021)
Client charged in relation to January 6 insurrection sentenced to 6 months.
UNITED STATES v. JANCART
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2021)
Client charged in relation to January 6 insurrection sentenced to 45 days.
UNITED STATES v. ACOSTA
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (2021)
Client charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. The guidelines called for a sentencing range of 121 - 151 month. Mr. Balarezo successfully obtained a sentence of 68 months.
UNITED STATES v. ALLEN
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2020)
Client charged with kidnapping and related weapons offenses. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a non-cooperation plea agreement and secured a 97 month sentence when the guidelines called for a sentencing range of 135 - 168 months.
UNITED STATES v. JOHN DOE
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2019)
MS-13 member client charged with racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering and various other charges. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a cooperation plea agreement and secured a 14 year sentence when the client initially faced a mandatory life sentence.
UNITED STATES v. CASTRO
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (2019)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin faced 10 year mandatory minimum sentence. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a plea agreement that resulted in a 30 month sentence.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2019)
Client charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. As a career offender, the client faced guidelines of 262 - 327 months. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a cooperation agreement and obtained a sentence of 66 months.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2019)
Client charged with distribution of child pornography and facing a mandatory minimum 15 year sentence. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a cooperation plea agreement and obtained a 10 year sentence.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2018)
MS-13 member client charged with racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering and weapons charges. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a cooperation plea agreement leading to a 20 year sentence where the client initially faced a mandatory life sentence.
UNITED STATES v. ALTARABEEN
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (2018)
Client charged in an international conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Evidence in the case included audio/visual recordings of the client negotiating deals; chats, telephonic recordings and undercover agents. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea of 36 - 60 months although the sentencing guidelines were calculated at 108 - 135 months.
UNITED STATES v. SANCHEZ LOPEZ
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2017)
Client charged as part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute hundreds of kilos of cocaine into the United States. Evidence in the case included audio/visual recordings of the client negotiating the deals; chats, telephonic recordings and informants. The client pled guilty without cooperation. At sentencing the government sought a sentence of 121 months. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a below-guidelines sentence of 84 months.
UNITED STATES v. PEÑA
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2017)
Client charged as part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Evidence in the case included surveillance, telephonic recordings and informants. The client was arrested in possession of over 13 pounds of methamphetamine (ice) and pled guilty without the benefit of a plea agreement. Although the guidelines called for a sentencing range of 135 - 168 months, Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a below guidelines sentence of 70 months.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2017)
Client charged with possession of child pornography as part of a government sting operation. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a below guidelines sentence of 30 months.
UNITED STATES v. ROSS
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2017)
Client charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued that the government had violated the Speedy Trial Act and Court dismissed the case.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (2017)
Client charged as part of an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Evidence included drug seizures, cooperators and wiretaps. The Client initially faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a much lower sentence of 41 months.
UNITED STATES v. FLETCHER
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2017)
Client charged as part of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Evidence included drug seizures, surveillance and wiretaps. The Client initially faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a plea agreement and successfully argued for a below guidelines sentence of 24 months.
UNITED STATES v. MUSIL
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2017)
Client charged as part of a heroin trafficking conspiracy. Evidence included drug seizures, surveillance and wiretaps. Although the Client initially faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months, Mr. Balarezo negotiated a plea agreement that contemplated a mandatory minimum of 60 months. The client was sentenced to 80 months when his sentencing guideline range was 100 - 125 months.
UNITED STATES v. SOLIS
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2017)
Client charged as part of an international heroin trafficking conspiracy. Evidence included drug seizures, surveillance and wiretaps. The client pled guilty without a plea agreement and Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a sentence of 30 months when the guidelines sentencing range was 70 - 87 months.
UNITED STATES v. SWAILS
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2017)
Client charged as part of an racketeering conspiracy involving identity theft. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued that the Pre-Sentence Report’s guideline calculation of 41 - 51 months was incorrect and the Court sentenced the client to 18 months.
UNITED STATES v. BOYD
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2016)
Client charged as the lead defendant in a gun running conspiracy. Evidence included surveillance and wiretaps. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a plea agreement resulting in a sentence of time served.
UNITED STATES v. WEBB
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2016)
Client charged as the lead defendant in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Evidence included surveillance, drug seizures, wiretaps and informants. After the government refused to make a reasonable plea offer to Mr. Balarezo's client, the client pled guilty without an agreement. At sentencing, the government argued for a 15 year sentence. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
UNITED STATES v. FUNDERBURK
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2016)
Client charged with participating in a heroin distribution conspiracy and two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin. At trial, the government presented surveillance videos, controlled buy videos, recorded jail calls, expert, law enforcement and cooperator testimony as well as seized narcotics. The jury deadlocked resulting in a mistrial. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a non-cooperation plea agreement and secured a sentence of 48 months when the guideline sentencing range was 151 - 188 months.
UNITED STATES v. WIGGINS
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2015)
Client charged along with several other defendants with participating in a heroin distribution conspiracy. Evidence included wiretaps, surveillance and cooperator testimony. After the government refused to make a reasonable plea offer to Mr. Balarezo's client, the client pled guilty without an agreement. At sentencing, the government sought a role enhancement and argued for a 15 year sentence. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
UNITED STATES v. ATTAR
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2015)
Client charged along with several other defendants with participating in a cocaine and marijuana distribution conspiracy. Evidence included wiretaps, surveillance and cooperator testimony. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a very favorable non-cooperation plea agreement for the client, who was sentenced to 40 months when his original exposure was a 120 months mandatory minimum sentence.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2015)
Client charged along with several others with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a very favorable pre-indictment cooperation plea agreement for the client, who was sentenced to 10 months.
UNITED STATES v. JONES
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2015)
Client charged with participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy, use of a telephone in furtherance of a narcotics conspiracy and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence included wiretaps, surveillance and cooperator testimony. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a very favorable plea agreement for the client that resulted in a 45 month sentence when his initial exposure was a 120 months mandatory minimum sentence.
UNITED STATES v. BROOKS
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2015)
Client charged along with over 40 other defendants with participating in a racketeering conspiracy, narcotics distribution conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Evidence included wiretaps, surveillance and cooperator testimony. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a very favorable plea agreement that resulted in an 18 month sentence.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2015)
Client charged with participating in an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy that allegedly transported tons of cocaine from Colombia to Central America and then to the United States. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a cooperation plea agreement that resulted in a 72 month sentence when the original guideline sentencing range was 262 - 327 months.
UNITED STATES v. CAMARILLO
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2014)
Client charged with possession with intent to distribute hundreds of pounds of marijuana. Evidence included video surveillance and the seizure of several hundred pounds of marijuana and over $100,000 in cash. Mr. Balarezo was able to obtain a very favorable sentence of 18 months for the client where his guideline sentencing range was 30 - 37 months.
UNITED STATES v. SANDIDGE
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2014)
Client charged with drug trafficking conpiracy and weapons possession. Evidence included wiretaps and seized cocaine and weapons. The client’s prior counsel had negotiated a plea to 9-11 years, which the client accepted. After the client pled guilty and was pending sentencing, he decided the plea agreement had not been in his best interest. Mr. Balarezo entered the case, successfully moved to withdraw the guilty plea and then negotiated a new plea agreement that called for a much lower sentence than originally contemplated. The client was sentenced to 72 months when his guideline sentencing range was 130 - 147 months.
UNITED STATES v. HERRERA
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (2014)
Client charged with conspiracy to import thousands of kilos of cocaine into the United States. Evidence included cooperators, wiretaps and the seizures of thousands of kilos of cocaine. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a plea agreement with a guideline sentencing range of 135 - 168 months and obtained a sentence of 87 months.
UNITED STATES v. JACKSON
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2014)
Client charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit currency as part of organization that manufactured hundreds of thousands of dollars in counterfeit bills. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a 15 month sentence when the guideline sentencing range was 27 - 33 months.
UNITED STATES v. GARCIA
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2013)
Client charged with distribution of a half kilo of cocaine to an undercover officer. Evidence included recordings, cooperators and the undercover officer himself. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a sentence of 12 months and 1 day.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas 2013
Client charged in large-scale cocaine trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing hundreds of kilos of cocaine. Evidence included wiretaps, cooperators and the seizure of over 50 kilos of cocaine and over one million dollars. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a cooperation plea agreement and successfully argued for a sentence of 18 months.
UNITED STATES v. EDWARDS
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2012)
Client charged with cold-case (1998) double homicide. Evidence included 5 witnesses and cooperators. Mr. Balarezo was able to obtain dismissal of the case.
UNITED STATES v. NINO
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2012)
Client charged with participating in multi-defendant international cocaine trafficking conspiracy responsible for importing large amounts of cocaine from Jamaica into the United States. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued that the government had violated the Speedy Trial Act and the Court dismissed the case.
UNITED STATES v. HAYES
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2012)
Career Offender Client charged with participating in multi-defendant cocaine trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in the Baltimore area. The investigation involved the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and millions of dollars. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a plea agreement calling for a 15 year sentence when the guideline sentencing range was 30 to life.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2012)
Client charged with violent sexual assault and related offenses. Mr. Balarezo handled the matter on a pro bono basis and secured a very favorable pre-indictment plea agreement resulting in a 26 month sentence.
UNITED STATES v. "JOHN DOE"
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (2011)
Client charged with money laundering as part of a Colombian cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Mr. Balarezo was successful in negotiating a very favorable plea agreement that resulted in a 30 month sentence.
UNITED STATES v. DIAZ
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2010)
Client charged with participating in multi-defendant international cocaine trafficking conspiracy that allegedly transported over 12 tons of cocaine from Colombia bound for the United States. The investigation included the Colombian National Police, the DEA, wiretaps and informant testimony and resulted in multi-ton seizures of cocaine. Upon the client's extradition from Colombia to the United States, Mr. Balarezo was able to negotiate a very favorable non-cooperation plea agreement calling for 42 months of incarceration with credit for the time served pending extradition.
UNITED STATES v. PATIÑO
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2010)
Client charged in a multi-defendant, multi-count indictment alleging membership in Colombia’s North Valley Cartel (NVC). The government alleged that the NVC imported over 100,000 kilos of cocaine worth over $1 billion from Colombia to the United States. The investigation included Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Colombian National Police, dozens of cooperators and resulted in multi-ton seizures of cocaine. Client was the only defendant to go to trial. During a three-week trial prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York, the government presented evidence obtained through seizures as well as the testimony of experts and multiple cooperators seeking reduced sentences in exchange for their testimony. The jury deadlocked and a mistrial was declared.
UNITED STATES v. MONTERO
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2010)
Client charged with participating in multi-defendant international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The government alleged that client participated in transporting over 1000 kilos of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. The investigation included the Colombian National Police, the DEA, multi-kilo seizures of cocaine, wiretaps and informant testimony. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a non-cooperation plea agreement calling for a sentence of 36 months.
UNITED STATES v. YE GON
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2009)
Client charged with conspiracy to aid and abet the manufacture of tons of methamphetamine, knowing that it would be imported into the United States. The government alleged that from December 2005 until March 2007, client conspired with methamphetamine manufacturers who imported methamphetamine into the United States by diverting precursor chemicals to those drug manufacturing and trafficking organizations. The indictment arose out of Mexican investigation that netted tons of chemicals and the seizure of more than $205 million in U.S. currency from client’s home in Mexico City. Mr. Balarezo successfully argued for a dismissal after the government violated Brady v Maryland.
UNITED STATES v. TORRES
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2009)
Client charged in same indictment as in United States v. Micolta (see below), alleging a conspiracy to import 5 kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. Indictment resulted from "Operation Twin Oceans," a multi-national investigation that targeted an alleged Colombian drug trafficking organization, believed to be responsible for transporting more than 15 tons of cocaine per month from Colombia to the United States and Europe. The investigation included the Brazilian National Police, Panamanian Judicial Police, Colombian National Police and the DEA. The three-year long investigation resulted in over 100 arrests and the seizure of 47,555 kilograms (52 tons) of cocaine, and nearly $70 million in assets. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a non-cooperation plea agreement calling for a sentence of 36 months.
UNITED STATES v. BYERS
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2009)
Federal death penalty prosecution of client charged with ordering the murder of a witness to a prior murder with which the client was charged in state court. The hit was purportedly ordered from jail using a contraband cellphone. Evidence presented at trial included informant testimony and extensive records of electronic communications. Case tried to a jury over six weeks. Although the client was convicted of 8 counts and acquitted of one, the defense was able to persuade the jury to spare the client's life and instead impose a mandatory life sentence.
UNITED STATES v. PARRA
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (2009)
Re-trial of client charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Jury deadlocked at first trial. During a week-long trial, the government presented evidence obtained through wiretaps, searches and seizures, as well as testimony from DEA Agents and three cooperators, including one who did not testify at the first trial. The jury reached a not guilty verdict.
UNITED STATES v. BURUCA
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2008)
Client charged with Assault and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon with Intent to Use Unlawfully. Charges stemmed from an alleged assault with a knife on a coworker. Government presented testimony of the purported victim, who claimed that defendant assaulted him without provocation. Additionally, government presented photographic evidence of alleged assault. After a thorough cross-examination of the prosecution witness, Mr. Balarezo presented evidence from defense witnesses that demonstrated that the assault never took place.
UNITED STATES v. CAMPBELL
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2008)
Client charged with Assaulting a Police Officer. Charge stemmed from police invasion of family's cookout. Government presented testimony of police officers who claimed that defendant assaulted them after her son was arrested. Additionally, government presented photographic evidence of alleged assault. After a thorough cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, Mr. Balarezo presented evidence from defense witnesses that demonstrated that the police instigated the incident and assaulted client. After a multi-day bench trial, the Court found the police officers not credible and acquitted client.
UNITED STATES v. BROWN
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2008)
Client charged in triple shooting at popular D.C. nightclub. Mr. Balarezo was the fifth and final attorney to represent the defendant during the more than four years he was detained pending trial. The government's evidence included multiple eyewitnesses. Mr. Balarezo's trial preparation and investigation revealed that government eyewitnesses' identification of client were not credible and extremely weak. No other evidence linked client to the shooting. The government dismissed the indictment days before trial.
UNITED STATES v. MICOLTA
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2008)
Client charged with conspiracy to import 5 kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. Indictment resulted from "Operation Twin Oceans," a multi-national investigation that targeted an alleged Colombian drug trafficking organization, believed to be responsible for transporting more than 15 tons of cocaine per month from Colombia to the United States and Europe. The investigation included the Brazilian National Police, Panamanian Judicial Police, Colombian National Police and the DEA. The three-year long investigation resulted in over 100 arrests and the seizure of 47,555 kilograms (52 tons) of cocaine, and nearly $70 million in assets. During a three-week trial prosecuted by the Department of Justice, the government presented evidence obtained through wiretaps, as well as the testimony of DEA Agents, Brazilian law enforcement agents, experts, civilians and cooperators. The jury found the client not guilty.
UNITED STATES v. PARRA
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (2008)
Client charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. During a week-long trial, the government presented evidence obtained through wiretaps, as well as testimony from DEA Agents and cooperators. The jury was deadlocked and a mistrial was declared.
UNITED STATES v. SAMUELS
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2007)
Client charged in a 58-count federal indictment with narcotics and RICO conspiracy, murder, weapons offenses and distribution of narcotics, making client eligible for federal death penalty. After persuading the government not to seek the death penalty, Mr. Balarezo tried the case over a period of eight months. Evidence presented against client included multiple informants, eyewitnesses and recorded informant narcotics buys. The jury found the client not guilty of conspiracy and RICO charges and was deadlocked on the murder charge. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a plea agreement where the client subsequently pled guilty to one count of manslaughter and was sentenced to 84 months with credit for time served, the lowest sentence of any of the codefendants.
UNITED STATES v. TOATLEY
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2007)
Client charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin. Evidence presented during jury trial through police officer testimony was that client was alone in his own car in which 50 ziplock bags of heroin and hundreds of dollars were seized after a traffic stop. The jury acquitted the client.
RESULT: VERDICT - NOT GUILTY
UNITED STATES v. JONES
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2007)
Client charged as leader of federal narcotics conspiracy involving the largest seizure of drugs in District of Columbia history - 97 kilos of cocaine powder; 1/2 kilo of "crack" cocaine; and over $800,000 in cash. The investigation of this case involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Metropolitan Police Department. During a two month jury trial, the government presented evidence obtained through wiretaps, pen registers, GPS trackers, video surveillance and cellular tower signals. Additionally, the government presented the testimony of "supplier" and "customer" cooperators who testified against client. The jury acquitted client of 19 counts and deadlocked on the remaining remaining 12 counts. Client was convicted on retrial and sentenced to mandatory life sentence. D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the conviction based on warrantless use of GPS tracking devise. Mr. Balarezo preserved the issue at trial. On January 23, 2012, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the government's use of a GPS tracking device without a warrant was unconstitutional and affirmed the reversal of Mr. Jones’ conviction.
UNITED STATES v. SIMMONS
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2006)
Client charged with narcotics/RICO conspiracy and murder, making client eligible for federal death penalty. After persuading the government not to seek the death penalty, the case was tried to a federal jury over ten weeks. Evidence presented against client included multiple informants, wiretaps and videos. The jury acquitted client of murder and related violent crimes and the client was spared a mandatory life sentence. Te jury convicted client of drug counts and he received the lowest sentence of all trial codefendants)
UNITED STATES v. OLIVARES
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2005)
Client charged as part of violent RICO/armed bank robbery conspiracy that netted over $300,000. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a non-cooperation plea agreement for client. Co-defendants found guilty at trial and sentenced to life. Mr. Balarezo successfully negotiated a sentence of 57 months.
UNITED STATES v. MILLER
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2005)
Client charged with murder and conspiracy. Evidence presented against client during five-week trial included multiple eyewitnesses and ballistic evidence. The client was found not guilty of murder, conspiracy and related weapons offense and was found guilty of lesser offenses.
UNITED STATES v. VEGA
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2005)
Client extradited to United States and charged in large-scale narcotics conspiracy responsible for importing and distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. Mr. Balarezo negotiated a non-cooperation plea agreement for client that resulted in a 64 month sentence.
MARYLAND v. GRAHAM
Circuit Court of Maryland for Prince George's County (2004, 2005, 2006)
Client charged with first degree murder and related weapons offense. During the initial trial and two retrials, the government presented eyewitness and ballistics evidence implicating client in murder. Case tried three times, ending in deadlocked jury/mistrial each time. Client eventually pled guilty to one count of manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years with credit for time served and concurrent to another sentence he was already serving.
UNITED STATES v. MONTALBAN
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2004)
Client charged with attempted murder of wife's alleged lover, and with various weapons offenses. Evidence presented against client included eyewitnesses who testified that client shot victim in the head. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
MARYLAND v. GRAHAM
Circuit Court of Maryland for Prince George's County (2004)
Client charged with armed robbery, assault and weapons offenses. Evidence presented against client at trial included eyewitness testimony. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
UNITED STATES v. PRESTON
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2004)
Client charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Evidence presented against client included police witness testimony that client had multiple ziplock bags of crack cocaine and large amount of cash in his car. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
UNITED STATES v. JOHNSON
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2004)
Client charged with introduction of contraband into penal institution. Evidence at trial included the testimony of the jail employee who allegedly introduced the contraband for client. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
UNITED STATES v. VILLATORO
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2004)
Client charged with first degree theft and destruction of property. Evidence at trial included eyewitness testimony and video evidence. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
UNITED STATES v. VILLATORO
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2003)
Client charged with assault with intent to kill while armed. Evidence at trial included testimony from victim who claimed client shot him. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
MARYLAND v. RANDALL
Circuit Court of Maryland for Montgomery County (2002)
Client charged with theft and auto theft. Evidence at trial included arresting police officer testimony. The Court granted a motion for judgment of acquittal.
UNITED STATES v. MILLINE
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2001)
Client charged with domestic violence assault. Trial evidence included police officer and eyewitness testimony. After a bench trial, the Court declared Mr. Milline not guilty.
* These cases are representative of the matters handled by BALAREZO LAW and are provided solely for illustrative purposes and not as a guarantee of future results. The cases or matters referenced do not represent the BALAREZO LAW's entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its owns merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer's or a law firm's past results.