Lenient judge bucks feds’ request for $1 million bail for alleged drug dealers despite flight risk

[The Bobster]

Loading…

nypost.com

Lenient judge bucks feds’ request for $1 million bail for alleged drug dealers despite flight risk​

By
Social Links for Tina Moore



Published March 16, 2024, 12:04 p.m. ET

Illegal Mexican immigrant Sergio Betancourt Peralta was allegedly arrested with about $1.1 in narcotics in the Hell's Kitchen apartment where he was living. DEA


A notoriously lenient Manhattan judge low-balled prosecutors’ bail requests for two alleged drug dealers busted this week with $1.1 million worth of narcotics — even though they are considered serious flight risks, law enforcement officials and sources said.
Prosecutors asked Judge Valentina Morales to set bail at $1 million cash each illegal Mexican migrant Sergio J. Betancourt Peralta, 34, and Jovanny Salas, 20, of Colorado — to ensure they would remain in Rikers until their next court date.
But Morales, 45 — who has sprung at least four allegedly violent criminals since taking the bench in 2021 — lowered the duo’s bail to $75,000 each, records show.
Both remained in jail as of Friday, online records show.