Mr. Sarabia was accused of smuggling a large sum of United States currency into the country by lying on a customs declaration form and providing false information to border patrol agents. The Government alleged that Mr. Sarabia lied five different times.
Mr. Seitles demonstrated through the cross-examination of Government witnesses that the United States Customs Agents’ stories were inconsistent and that Mr. Sarabia had no motive to lie. Mr. Seitles vigorously argued that Mr. Sarabia was a legitimate Colombian businessman who did not intentionally seek to avoid the United States currency reporting requirements.
The Jury returned a verdict of not guilty in less than two hours.