Criminal law specialist attorney Rafael Caro Quintero has handled complex cases, including those involving the death penalty. He is mainly accused of the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena in 1985, as well as his participation in organized crime, large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and violence related to drug trafficking.
Caro Quintero has specialized in defending complex and high-profile federal cases, especially those related to the death penalty. He has represented figures from the Italian-American mafia and members of the Bonanno crime family in the past. Attorney Mark deMarco, who has worked in the Southern District Court of New York since 1992, recently joined Caro Quintero's defense team.
The hearing against Mexican drug trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero, scheduled for April 18, was suspended due to the Guadalajara Cartel leader reaching an agreement to replace his defense attorney because of a potential conflict of interest. The federal judge in charge of the case, Frederic Block, requested to advance the hearing to address this conflict.
The public defender, Michael Vitalino, was replaced by Mark deMarco in Caro Quintero's legal representation. A new hearing has been scheduled for June, when the U.S. Attorney's Office will determine whether to seek the death penalty for Caro Quintero.
Caro Quintero was extradited to the United States along with other drug traffickers in February. Elizabeth Macedonio, with over 40 years of experience in the legal field, joined the defense of the Guadalajara Cartel leader at the end of March. So far, Caro Quintero has retained the public defenders assigned by U.S. authorities without indicating whether he will hire private attorneys. The charges against him have made him a top priority for U.S. justice.
