The truck driver in an Aurelian Springs Road cocaine bust scheduled for sentencing Wednesday had his court date moved to the May term of United States court in Raleigh, according to documents filed in the matter.
District Judge James C. Dever III granted a motion filed on behalf of Andrew Richard Rodarte to move the sentencing to the May 18 term of court.
The driver’s federal public defender, G. Alan Dubois, filed the motion and stated, “Mr. Rodarte is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals and is housed at the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia. Due to communication difficulties via video session, undersigned counsel requests additional time to prepare for sentencing.”
The motion said Assistant United States Attorney Dena King, who is representing the government in the matter, has been contacted and concurs with the continuance.
The sentencing for co-defendant Luis Enrrique Arroyo-Jimenez is still set for the June 1 term of court.
In the bust which occurred on Aurelian Springs Road last year, 80 kilos of cocaine and $2 million in cash were seized July of last year.
Arroyo-Jimenez entered a guilty plea in November to the second count lodged against him, which charges he and Rodarte, the truck driver who delivered the cocaine to him, aided and abetted each other by possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
Rodarte entered a plea in September.
As in Rodarte’s case, the first count against him will be dismissed. That count charges the men intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, agreed and had a tacit understanding with each other and other persons, known and unknown to the grand jury, to knowingly and intentionally distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to a criminal complaint, members of the DEA conducted an investigation of suspected drug traffickers in Halifax County.
As part of that operation, investigators observed a mobile home in the 9000 block of Aurelian Springs Road in the Littleton area.
During the operation a semi-truck arrived at the residence. The driver of the vehicle was later identified as Rodarte.
Investigators then observed several individuals exit the residence and approach the vehicle. The individuals then accessed the sleeper compartment of the vehicle and unloaded several large duffel bags which were taken inside the residence.
Rodarte then left the residence.
Inside each bag were approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine for a total of 80 kilos. The substances were later field tested and the results were positive for cocaine.
Rodarte, according to the complaint, admitted to transporting the seized cocaine and said he had made at least five similar trips to other locations.
A subsequent search of his vehicle yielded the bulk currency.
