SAN DIEGO.- Armando "El Gordo" Villarreal pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court in San Diego on charges of conspiracy and drug trafficking.
Before the Judge Nita L. Stormes, the defendant made his first appearance in court after he was extradited from Mexico on Wednesday afternoon.
Villarreal Heredia, a native of San Diego, listened to his rights with a lawyer imposed by the Court, and later denied the allegations.
Next Thursday it will be determined whether the defendant reaches bail, something that the prosecution was against since they consider Villarreal Heredia "a risk". The next hearing was agreed to on July 2 before Judge William Hayes.
Federal District Attorney, Laura Duffy pointed out Villarreal Heredia of 33 years, as the main defendant in a group of 43 people arrested in July 2010 for their ties to the criminal organization of Fernando Sanchez Arellano, known as The Engineer.
Villarreal Heredia was involved in murder, drug trade, kidnappings, robberies, assaults and money laundering, among other illicit activities, according to federal agency information.
If found guilty, he would have a maximum sentence of life in prison with a monetary fine of 10 million dollars.
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