The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Harsh words for judge delays sentencing
The sentencing of a convicted drug dealer and gang member has been delayed due to statements published Oct. 11 in a press release by the Lorain Police Department.
Manuel “Ocks” Latorre, 26, of Lorain, was scheduled to be sentenced on four separate cases in front of Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark A. Betleski on Oct. 16.
Those cases included six counts of trafficking in drugs, three counts of possession of drugs and single counts of possessing criminal tools, drug paraphernalia, weapons under disability, felonious assault and participating in a criminal gang.
Latorre pleaded guilty to all of these charges.
The sentencing was continued due to possible issues in relation to statements critical of Betleski published in a press release published by the Lorain Police Department about Latorre being arrested once more for drug trafficking while awaiting his punishment.
The release claims Lorain County Common Pleas Court judges aren’t doing their part to fight the scourge of opioid addiction.
“In a time when society is asking what can be done to stem the flow of opioids that are killing our family members, it appears that the calls for help fall on deaf ears with the judges handling Latorre’s cases,” the release said. “Judge Mark Betleski has continued to allow Latorre to prey on the citizens of Lorain County, selling fentanyl and heroin while waiting to be sentenced.
“We encourage Judge Betleski to give Latorre maximum sentences on these pending cases. Every day drug dealers, like Latorre, spend on the streets of our county, more of our citizens are poisoned by the drugs he sells. The Lorain Police Department and all Lorain County law enforcement agencies work hard to keep scum like Latorre off our streets. Now it is time for the Lorain County judges to do their part.”
Members of the Lorain Police Department Narcotics Unit sat next to prosecutors as Latorre’s case was called before Betleski.
Defense attorney Michael Stepanik asked Betleski to continue the sentencing, but on the grounds of him finding out more about the facts behind Lattore’s latest arrest.
Betleski also highlighted concerns that could be raised by the statements published in the release.
“There’s a concern with any time there is a public presentation, or public criticism, of the court before the court is done with a particular case, there’s a risk the actions outside of the court might have an impact on the court’s consideration of the matter,” he said.
Stepanik indicated there was a possibility he may make a motion to have Betleski removed from the case.
Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Allan Regas pushed the court to proceed to sentencing and requested a prison sanction.
“Any issues that would be raised at this point by the defense, could certainly be cured upon an effective appeal if there’s any,” Regas said.
Betleski said the real concern is his possible disqualification from the case because of the statements in the release.
“From the court’s perspective, condemnation from the outside world could mean one of two things,” he said. “One: it just doesn’t matter to the court and under those circumstances we’d just proceed with sentencing. Number two: it does matter to the court, but in which direction.
“Am I cowed into coming up with a more serious sanction, maybe something more serious than I might have done on my own, in light of his picking up the new charges. Or, for that matter, does the court issue reprisals against an outside organization because they have the audacity to question the quality of his work?
“In either of those latter two instances I think it’s fair for a counsel to at least consider whether they wish to pursue the disqualification of the court, and if they choose to do so, to do so.”
Betleski continued the sentencing to Nov. 6.
Meanwhile, Aalijah J. Rico, 23, of Lorain, Latorre’s co-defendant on the cases, was sentenced Oct. 16.
Rico received 180 days in jail and three years of community control.
The release claims Lorain County Common Pleas Court judges aren’t doing their part to fight the scourge of opioid addiction.