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Following an exchange with defense attorney Remi L. Spencer, Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Roma directed Bergen County Sheriff’s officers to take Lydia Cruz — who had been free on $700,000 bail since January 2012 — back to the county jail until a May 3 sentencing on drug and money-laundering convictions.
“I just don’t know what you’re doing,” Roma told Spencer during what was supposed to be a routine Friday morning sentencing hearing. “I respectfully request you refer to points that have to do with the sentence.”
“I’m advocating,” the defense attorney replied, repeating her request for an 8-week postponement so that Cruz (above) could attend to an undisclosed matter involving her youngest daughter.
Roma reminded her that a previous request already was denied. “We are here for the sentencing,” he said.
Spencer persisted, however, raising the judge’s ire.
“All right. I’ve had it,” Roma said. “I’ll see you back here at 1:30.”
Spencer objected, saying she had to be in another county after lunch.
At that point, Roma stopped the hearing and ordered that Cruz be taken into custody, as upset family members watched in shock.
“I’m fully aware whenever I send someone to jail it’s a hardship on their family,” the judge said. “It’s not a surprise that your client is going to jail for 10 years.”
Cruz had pleaded guilty to the full seven counts of a state Attorney General’s indictment charging her with drug conspiracy and possession, as well as money laundering, as part of a drug distribution ring that included her husband, William Diaz; an older son, Irving Sanchez of Ridgefield; and another man, Emanuel Reyes of Hackensack.
Under her plea deal with prosecutors, she could be eligible for parole after only 18 months.
Cruz is the last member of the crew to be sentenced. The other three already are in prison.
STORY / PHOTO: Mary K. Miraglia, CLIFFVIEW PILOT Courthouse Reporter
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