Colorado Judge Decides to Free Army Soldier Charged with Federal Drug Offenses as a Show of Trust in the Court’s Decision

A federal judge made a decision on Thursday regarding the case of Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez, an Army soldier charged with selling cocaine. The judge ruled that Orona-Rodriguez will be released from custody as he awaits trial.

Denver7 | Investigates was in the courtroom on Thursday.

Fort Carson soldier released ahead of drug trial

The 27-year-old soldier will have a release hearing on Friday morning. During this hearing, he will be taken to a halfway house in Colorado Springs where he will need to follow a curfew and be monitored for his whereabouts, as outlined by the judge. Up until now, he has been held in the Jefferson County Detention Center.

According to the staff sergeant’s defense attorney, there was no room available at the halfway houses located in Denver.

Orona-Rodriguez was taken into custody shortly after a Drug Enforcement Administration operation occurred in Colorado Springs last month at a venue referred to by law enforcement as an “underground” nightclub.

Authorities told Denver7 | Investigates that they believe Orona-Rodriguez helped run security for the nightclub, which he reportedly told investigators is operated by his mother-in-law.

Orona-Rodriguez is accused of selling cocaine to a DEA undercover agent, according to arrest documents. Previously in court, it was revealed that he allegedly sold 0.5 ounces of cocaine, worth about $450, on April 22. He was also identified as a leader or owner of Immortal Security LLC, a security company that provides armed guards to nightclubs.

The soldier is charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Each count carries up to 20 years in prison.

At Thursday’s hearing, a prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office revealed Orona-Rodriguez’s urinalysis came back positive for cocaine, which conflicts with what he told pretrial services.

The prosecutor argued Orona-Rodriguez poses a danger to the public, given the circumstances around his arrest involving the illegal nightclub, reportedly selling cocaine, and allegations of attempting to sell weapons to an undocumented immigrant. However, Orona-Rodriguez is not facing any weapons-related charges.

Despite that, the judge decided detention is not appropriate in this case and Orona-Rodriguez will be released.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Prose asked the staff sergeant to “vindicate the court’s trust,” by abiding by release conditions and continuing to appear in court.

Orona-Rodriguez’s mother, who lives in Puerto Rico, and siblings, who live in Texas, were all present in the courtroom. His mother was emotional throughout the hearing.

“I ask you to be a source of strength for your son,” said Judge Prose, speaking directly to Orona-Rodriguez’s family. “Please, support him in complying with the conditions.”

The staff sergeant’s family members declined to comment after the hearing.

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