By Iffy.
Nigerian Instagram celebrity and alleged International cyber-fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, was billed to be sentenced on Monday afternoon, September 19 2022, however events took a turn, as the trial judge, Otis Wright, has fixed 7 November for his sentencing.
Hushpuppi was arrested in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE) in June 2020, and subsequently ferried to the US, and brought before a United States court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2021.
In addition, he says he deserves a lesser sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Ahead of the sentencing, a team of U.S. attorneys, led by Stephanie Christensen, has urged the court to “sentence the defendant (Hushpuppi), who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering in July 2021, to 135 months’ imprisonment.”
Abbas told the U.S. Central District Court in California that the U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed to recommend a reduction in the applicable sentencing guidelines offence level following his guilty plea.
However in court filings through his lawyer, Louis Shapiro, Hushpuppi said the US Attorney’s Office “agreed to recommend that Mr Abbas be sentenced to a term of imprisonment below the calculated range dictated by statute…”
Giving a summary of his client’s argument, Mr Shapiro, urged the court to “depart and vary from the sentencing guideline factors in the plea agreement.”
The defence lawyer based his contention on the grounds that Mr Abbas showed an “early acceptance of responsibility” for the fraud.
He added that Hushpuppi endured “painstaking and crushing COVID conditions” after being diagnosed with the ailment.
“Mr Abbas, through his counsel, is entreatiing the court to vary from the calculated guideline range towards a 13-level reduction to 20 points (33-41) months.
“This reduction would also enable Mr Abbas to continue supporting his family in their time of need,” the court documents dated 5 September read.
