COURT REPORT
Calif. man admits conspiracy
By Linda Hosek
with Moon drug ring dealers
Star-BulletinA former California businessman has pleaded guilty to conspiring with two drug suppliers in 1994 to deposit $202,000 in banks in amounts to evade reporting requirements.
Joseph Satterfield, who was president of a corporation that distributed "LogoCam" cameras, yesterday admitted that he conspired with John Bowley and William Batkin to limit cash deposits to less than $10,000.
Banks must report deposits of $10,000 or more to the Internal Revenue Service.
Bowley and Batkin previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute crystal methamphetamine and cocaine with drug kingpin Frank Moon, serving a 12-1/2-year sentence.
Federal prosecutors allege that Moon's organization included 40 to 50 conspirators, who distributed 100 to 200 pounds of "ice" and about 200 pounds of cocaine in slightly more than three years, ending in 1994.
Bowley received a nine-year prison term, and Batkin is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 21. Moon's sentence was dropped from 20 years for his continuing cooperation.
Satterfield faces 15 to 21 months and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced Dec. 21 before U.S. District Judge David Ezra.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall Silverberg said Satterfield conspired to evade reporting requirements on $232,500, in which $172,500 came from Batkin and $60,000 from Bowley.
Satterfield said he received only $142,000 from Batkin, making the total $202,000.
In the plea agreement, the government agreed to drop other charges, including 25 counts of money laundering.
The agreement states that Batkin wanted to purchase the right to market and sell the cameras in Hawaii, and Bowley wanted to do the same in the eastern United States. LogoCam cameras sold in Hawaii could produce photos with "Aloha Hawaii" imprinted on them.
Silverberg said Satterfield needed financing for his business and met Batkin and Bowley in California, where they rode motorcycles.
He said Satterfield, who made the 1994 deposits from the two drug suppliers from March to August, doesn't face any drug charges.
Satterfield deposited the money into his personal checking account or two business accounts of his corporation, E.M. International Inc., according to the plea agreement.
His sentencing guidelines will reflect credit for pleading guilty, but will increase for his knowing that the cash was from illegal activities and for abusing his position of trust as a company president.
Satterfield is expected to seek a decrease in his guidelines because his mother is ill, but the government is expected to oppose it.
Man gets 10-year sentence
By Linda Hosek
for resuming drug dealing
Star-BulletinA man with a previous drug conviction will serve about 10-1/2 years in federal prison for new drug charges, including possessing more than 2.2 pounds of heroin and cocaine in Hilo.
U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor yesterday sentenced Ismael Apatiga-Almazan, 49, to 127 months, rejecting a prosecution plea for the maximum of 135 months.
"Given his age, there is sufficient punishment in 127 months," she said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson had asked for the maximum, saying he was a longtime drug dealer in Hawaii and California who "didn't get the message the first time around."
But Gillmor also faulted Apatiga-Almazan, who she said supported himself and his family through his dealings.
"Whether you're a drug addict or not, the idea of involving one's family in the business is reprehensible," she said.
Apatiga-Almazan faced a mandatory minimum because he the weight of the drugs he conspired to possess and distribute exceeded a kilogram, or 2.2 pounds.
His wife, Florina Apatiga-Salgado, who pleaded guilty to possessing and intending to distribute cocaine, received a sentence of about three years.
Both were arrested in Hilo in February and together possessed more than 2-1/2 pounds of cocaine, 50.4 grams of black tar heroin and 23 grams of marijuana.
Inmate pleads not guilty to
By Linda Hosek
three murder charges
Star-BulletinA man serving a 10-year prison term for manslaughter has pleaded not guilty to three murder charges from 1988 and 1990.
Wallace W. "Ditto" Rodrigues is scheduled to begin trial the week of Oct. 19 for one count of first-degree murder, which carries a prison term of life without parole, and two counts of second-degree murder.
An Oahu grand jury indicted Rodrigues Aug. 6, alleging that he murdered Lorenzo Young on April 3, 1998; Leo Tuaoa on Feb. 23, 1990; and William Lau about Oct. 30-31, 1990.
It also alleges he used or threatened to use a firearm in the felonies.
In the first-degree murder charge, the grand jury alleged that Rodrigues killed Lau, who was to be a witness in a criminal prosecution.
Pamela Tower, Rodrigues' attorney, appeared in court yesterday to enter his not-guilty plea. Rodrigues, in custody at Halawa Correctional Facility, participated through a video camera.
"We look forward to subjecting his accusers to a rigorous cross-examination of their patently false allegations," she said after the hearing.
The court confirmed his bail at $450,000.
A jury in 1997 convicted Rodrigues of being a felon in possession of a firearm, but couldn't reach a verdict on murder for his role in the 1995 shooting death of Wayne Pemberton.
Rodrigues maintained he didn't kill Pemberton, but changed his plea to manslaughter to avoid the risk of conviction.
He was sentenced to 10 years each for manslaughter and the firearms charge, and will serve a minimum of five years for each with concurrent terms.
