The sentencing of the the Akasha brothers has been postponed to March 15 a from February 1 as earlier indicated by the federal judge presiding over the case Judge Victor Marrero.
The two brothers risk serving 10 years or life imprisonment having pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges, including bribing unnamed Kenyan officials.
According to US court procedures, defendants who have pleaded guilty to or been convicted of federal offences are interviewed by a government probation officer to gather information concerning the individuals’ family histories, education background, history of substance abuse and financial status, as well as their physical, mental and emotional health.
Judge Victor Marrero acceded last week to a request by defence attorneys for postponement of sentencing on the grounds that they needed more time to develop information to be presented as potentially mitigating factors.
According to Baktash’s attorney George Goltzer his client “has an extensive family that includes multiple wives, children, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and his mother, for which he has provided support throughout his life”.
He further added saying that since Baktash is a Kenyan, “additional efforts will be needed to obtain documents and information” germane to sentencing considerations.
Some of that information, in the case of the Akashas, is being acquired from family members and documents located in Kenya.
However Judge Marrero has the authority to impose whatever sentence he feels is right for each of the brothers.
The probation department interviews with the Akasha brothers took place in mid-December.
And US prosecutors noted recently that the probation department’s report on its findings will not be completed until sometime in February.