Deportations on the docket

It was illegal immigrant morning at the Federal Courthouse in downtown St. Paul. Your correspondent was there.

First up were back-to-back hearings for the two defendants arrested in Minnesota’s most recent 900-lb. meth bust.

(From L-R) Guillermo Mercado-Chapparo and Joel Casas-Santiago were in a 6th-floor courtroom for routine hearings. Each was arraigned on one count of distributing meth. Guillermo was arraigned on an additional felony count of illegal immigration.

Both will remain in federal custody, and both are due back in court in early September.

A ground-floor courtroom hosted back-to-back hearings for two illegal aliens charged with felony illegal immigration. Both are on the Fast Track program for expedited handling of their cases.

Fredy Kirrington-Mendoza was formally arraigned this morning.

He is due back in court on August 25. Next up was Meximo Arellano-Tenago.

Maximo’s attorney reports that his client is close to reaching a plea deal in the case, which would result in deportation.

Was there due process today? Yes, so much due process.