Augusto Guillermo "Willy" Falcon (born September 1, 1955) is a former drug kingpin who, along with his partner Sal Magluta, operated one of the most significant cocaine trafficking organizations in South Florida history.
Willy Falcon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Augusto Guillermo Falcón September 1, 1955 |
| Known for | Cuban drug kingpin who ran South Florida from 1970s to 1990s. |
| Criminal status | Released |
| Conviction(s) | Illegal possession of a firearm (1997) Money laundering (2003) |
| Criminal penalty | 14 years imprisonment |
| Accomplice(s) | Sal Magluta |
Biography
editSpeedboat racing
editFalcon was a speedboat racing champion in the 1980s.[1]
1996 trial
editMagluta, along with his partner, Falcon was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 1991 for a plethora of drug trafficking crimes, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise accused of importing and distributing over 75 tons of cocaine.[2][3] Falcon was represented by Albert Krieger, Susan Van Dusen, and D. Robert "Bobby" Wells.[4] His partner Magluta was represented by Roy Black, Martin Weinberg, and Richard Martinez (Magluta's brother in law).[2] Both Magluta and Falcon were found not guilty after a lengthy trial before Judge Federico Moreno.
Gun conviction
editIn 1997 he was convicted for illegal possession of a firearm.[5]
Juror bribery
editFollowing the 1996 trial, the United States Attorney's Office directed an investigation into Magluta and Falcon's finances that ultimately revealed that members of their jury - including the jury foreman - had been bribed. Magluta, Falcon, several of the jurors, their associates and even some of their lawyers were ultimately charged with various criminal offenses arising from the conduct.[6][7]
Guilty plea and deportation
editIn 2003 he pled guilty to a single count of money laundering in a plea deal with the government for a reduced 20-year sentence.[8] After his 2017 release he was transferred to ICE custody.[9] He was deported to the Dominican Republic, where he stayed for a short period of time, as the Dominican Republic authorities did not want his residence in the country. He was forced to flee the country and his whereabouts are currently unknown.[10]
In popular culture
editFalcon and his partner Magluta are the subjects of the 2021 documentary Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami.[11]
Rick Ross's single, Little Havana, released December 2, 2021, opens with an audio clip of Falcon.[12] In the clip, a character playing Falcon claims to have helped build Miami into the city it is today and expresses appreciation to Rick Ross for “keeping my name alive in your music”.
References
edit- ^ "Willy & Sal, Episode 1: The Rise of Cocaine Cowboys Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta".
- ^ a b Dante Parra Herrera, Jose (August 21, 1999). "U.S. INDICTS 12 IN DRUG CASE". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ Strouse, Charles (February 14, 1996). "PROSECUTORS SAY MEN WERE KINGPINS; DEFENSE CLAIMS FRAME-UP". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ DeFede, Jim (14 December 1995). "The Best Defense Money Can Buy". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
- ^ Glover, Scott (March 27, 1997). "GUN CONVICTION NAILS COKE CASE FIGURE". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ Holland, John (March 4, 2000). "BRIBED FOREMAN GETS 17 YEARS". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ W. O'Neill, Ann (January 15, 2004). "BRIBED JURORS GET 5 YEARS IN PRISON". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ O'Neill, Ann W. (June 17, 2003). "DRUG KINGPIN PLEADS GUILTY". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ "'Cocaine Cowboy' Augusto Falcon in ICE Custody After Release From Prison". NBC 6. June 19, 2017.
- ^ "Cocaine Cowboy Willie Falcon deported to Dominican Republic". Miami Herald. November 20, 2018.
- ^ Desta, Yohana (August 6, 2021). "Cocaine Cowboys: Inside the Wild Netflix Docuseries about Miami's Drug Trade". Vanity Fair.
- ^ Marie, Erika (December 3, 2021). "Rick Ross Delivers "Little Havana" Ft. Willie Falcon & The-Dream". Hot New Hip Hop.