Oscar Martínez-Hernández, aka “Cali” Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder of Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Osvaldo Albarati-Casañas
SAN JUAN, P.R. – Today, Oscar Martínez-Hernández, a.k.a. "Cali;" was sentenced by US District Court Chief Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí for the of the murder of Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati-Casañas, a Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow. Lieutenant Albarati was murdered on February 26, 2013. On September 20, 2018, Martínez-Hernández was found guilty after an 11-day jury trial.
On January 28, 2015 a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six count indictment charging nine individuals for the murder of Lieutenant Albarati. Defendants Ángel D. Ramos-Cruz, a.k.a. "Api;" Miguel Díaz-Rivera, a.k.a. "Bolo;" Juan Quiñones-Meléndez, a.k.a. "El Manco;" Orlando Mojica-Rodríguez, a.k.a. "Yogui;" Jayson Rodríguez-González, a.k.a. "Gonzo;" Alexander Rosario de León, a.k.a. "Coquí;" Carlos Rosado-Rosado, a.k.a. "Cano;" and Jancarlos Velázquez-Vázquez, a.k.a. "Jan," pleaded guilty and were sentenced in accordance with their respective plea agreements for their specific roles in the offense. Ramos-Cruz was sentenced to 309 months, Quiñones-Meléndez was sentenced to 285 months, Díaz-Rivera was sentenced to 129 months, Mojica-Rodríguez was sentenced to 249 months, Rodríguez-González was sentenced to 396 months, Rosario-De León was sentenced to 204 months, Rosado-Rosado was sentenced to 140 months, and Velázquez-Vázquez was sentenced to 120 months.
During Martínez-Hernández’ trial, the government proved that during the period of time prior to Albarati’s murder, Oscar Martínez-Hernández, a.k.a. "Cali;" was incarcerated at the MDC facility pending sentencing in another federal drug case. Martínez-Hernández would consistently use cell phones and had other contraband in his possession while in the facility. Martínez-Hernández and other inmates were angered that Lieutenant Albarati, a member of BOP’s Special Investigations Section, was consistently searching for contraband in the facility and challenged the leadership of the inmate population, including Oscar Martínez-Hernández. The government proved that Martínez-Hernández and these other inmates made a plan to pay individuals in the free community to murder Lt. Albarati as he went home from work. 2
At trial, witnesses testified that Martínez-Hernández watched from his cell on the evening of February 26, 2013 as Lt. Albarati left in his white Veloster and signaled to other inmates who were communicating with the hired gunman using a contraband cell phone. The gunman waited on the shoulder of Highway 22 near the Buchanan toll. The gunman stalked Lt. Albarati’s vehicle and eventually gunned down Lt. Albarati as he drove home. The gunmen used four .40 caliber fully automatic Glock pistols to commit the murder.
Evidence showed that Oscar Martínez-Hernández had agreed to contribute money for the murder and assisted with signaling to other inmates when Lt. Albarati left work. The jury found the defendant guilty of all six counts including the murder of a federal officer, murder for hire, conspiracy, and related firearms offenses.
"Today justice has been served as the defendant in this case was held responsible for his actions and this horrific crime; a crime that he planned and then was carried out without regard for the victim or his family," said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. "Although the verdict and sentencing of the defendant will not lessen the pain of Lieutenant Albarati’s family, it is my sincere hope that it provides some closure to his loved ones."
The case was investigated by the FBI with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Miami Field Office, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, DEA, ATF, the United States Marshals Service, ICE-HSI, the Puerto Rico Police Department, the San Juan Municipal Police, and other law enforcement agencies that covered hundreds of leads developed as a result of the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas W. Cannon and Max Pérez-Bouret.
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