NARCOTICS

United States v. Vincenzo S., et al., Ind. No. 08 CR. 858 (WHP)(S.D.N.Y. 2008 – 2009)

Successfully obtained a time served sentence of five months for defendant charged in a highly publicized international drug ring which purchased numerous kilograms of cocaine from Central and South American drug organizations, including the Gulf Cartel, and smuggled them through New York to Italy. The defendant faced a ten year mandatory minimum sentence and deportation. After disproving the government’s theory of the case and uncovering exculpatory information, defense counsel secured a non-drug plea to attempting to evade currency transaction reporting requirements (“structuring”), and also spared the defendant from being deported. 

United States v. Anthony M., 11 CR 12 (RMB) (SDNY 2011)

Successfully represented a client charged in a highly publicized multi-defendant racketeering case that included predicate acts of arson, gambling, loansharking and drug trafficking. The client faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months imprisonment on the drug count alone. DiBenedetto was successful in securing a sentence of 43 months for the client after discrediting the government’s lead witness and exposing significant trial risk for the government regarding allegations of violence and drug trafficking. 

View Article

United States v. Dominick D., 09 CR 1243 (LAK) (SDNY 2009)

Successfully avoided career offender status for a client charged in connection with a highly publicized racketeering case in the Southern District of New York. The client was charged with multiple counts of extortion naming at least 4 victims, along with gambling and a drug conspiracy. The client faced a career offender guideline of at least 15 years imprisonment. DiBenedetto was successful in securing a non-racketeering plea and the low-end of the revised guidelines which resulted in a reduction of over 8 years from his potential sentence. 

United States v. Enrico P., et al., 07 CR 252 (LDW)(E.D.N.Y. 2006 – 2007)

Successfully obtained a downward departure to six months home detention for a defendant initially charged with a ten year mandatory minimum for growing numerous kilograms of marijuana hydroponically at multiple “grow houses” throughout Brooklyn, New York.