Jorge Puello Arrested

The self-proclaimed "lawyer" for 10 Americans arrested in Haiti has been arrested himself in the Dominican Republic, and he is expected to come to the United States to face justice.

“Lawyer” for Americans In Haiti Arrested
Mike Levine • Fox News

The self-proclaimed "lawyer" for 10 Americans arrested in Haiti has been arrested himself in the Dominican Republic, and he is expected to come to the United States to face justice, Fox News has learned exclusively.

Jorge Puello was arrested last night in the Dominican Republic, after being under surveillance for "some time" by authorities there, sources told Fox News.

After 10 Baptist missionaries were taken into custody by Haitian police in January for allegedly trying to smuggle dozens of children out of the earthquake-ravaged country, Puello announced that he was their defense counsel.

But news of his criminal history, including warrants for past immigration violations inside the United States, soon began to surface, and he fled from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.

Interpol, the international police agency, recently issued a warrant for Puello’s arrest, and officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service have been working with Dominican Republic officials to hammer out an extradition deal, according to the sources.

The warrant approved by Interpol covers federal charges filed against Puello in Vermont in 2002.

He was arrested at the time for alleged human trafficking, after he was caught trying to smuggle people over the Canadian border into the United States, one source said.

But a Canadian judge ordered his release pending extradition to the United States, and he then fled.

U.S. authorities didn't know where to find him until news coverage of the earthquake in Haiti, and his involvement, brought him to their attention again.

U.S. and international officials are currently working out the final details for Puello’s extradition to the United States. It’s unclear when he would actually arrive on U.S. soil.

In February, Puello told the New York Times from an unverified location that he was not guilty of anything, and he vowed to turn himself in soon to prove he had done nothing wrong.

“All I’m waiting for is for my lawyer to tell me, ‘Surrender,’ ” he said.

But, according to the New York Times, he then “abruptly disappeared” after it turned out he was not a lawyer at all.

Puello could not fully explain why he became involved in the Americans’ case when he knew arrest warrants were out for him, the New York Times said.

Nine of the 10 Americans held in January, most of them from Idaho, have since been released. The group's leader remains jailed in Haiti.

Meanwhile, Puello is under investigation by other countries, including El Salvador, for alleged human trafficking involving sex tourism.

Comments

[shmulki]

this guy is the mother of all con artists so many twists and turns in his crookedness it boggles the mind

[Mr. Apikorus]

I'm sure Rebbe Puello will claim his arrest was due to rampant anti-Semitism on the part of the U.S. Marshall's Service.

Maybe he'll become Bernie Madoff's cellmate. After all, we Jews need to stick together.

[maven]

"this guy is the mother of all con artists so many twists and turns in his crookedness it boggles the mind"

The best part is how he conned some weak minds to believe he is Jewish or haredi. The fact that this story appears on this site is proof of both his skills and the weak mindedness of his targets.

[Devorah]

He certainly will have his pick of roommates in jail with all his brother hasids.

[a reader]

siyum mishnayos for martin grossman in lakewood: http://matzav.com/video-photos-shloshim-of-martin-grossman-marked-with-siyum-mishnayos

[Sarah K]

There was a man who used to hang around Chabad centers in Manhattan and help men find under-age girls. So does this guy's involvement in "sex tourism" surprise anyone?
Good Shabbos

[Mr. Apikorus]

Yes, Sarah, it surprised me. Why? Because this guy isn't Hasidic, that's why.

[Mr. Apikorus]

According to the New York Times, Torres Puello was arrested in the parking lot of a McDonald's in the Dominican Republic.

As we all know, McDonald's is where one goes for glatt Kosher food such as a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

His mug shot on Fox shows he stands between 6'1" and 6'2" (with shoes).

[Laylah B]

Ah, Apikorus, I was planning to use the Glatt Kosher McDonald's menu, and you got there just before me. You must have seen the mug shot--the beard is gone,and so are the Kippah and Tzitzit.

I'd love to see him enjoy the hospitality of El Salvador, but it looks like it will be the US of A. I wonder who he'll become this time around. I'm betting he'll go for Islam..

[D]

This guy is as Jewish as Reverend Ike. Anyone who thinks differently is a naar.

[Bill]

Let's see...

Beard, yarmulkeh, fake degree, no legitimate source of income, sexual exploitation of minors, and now sitting in jail.

This guy has "hareidi" written all over him.

[D]

Bill, I must admit that your argument is very convincing. However, the only ones who ever thought he was Jewish was Lubavitch and Kulano, which should be enough proof right there.

[Bill]

D,

If he's faking it, then it's one of the best imitations of a Hareidi I've ever seen!

[D]

Bill, I have first hand knowledge. I'm from Santo Domingo. This guy showed up a number of years ago claiming to be more Jewish than the rest of us; we immediately branded him a fraud. Lubavitch and Kulano actively supported him and attacked the local community. The guy is a consummate con artist. If being a Charedi got him Lubavitch and Kulano support, why not?