This prosecution sucks. Menedez could have been tried under the RICO statutes and received scores of years in jail.
Each truck/equipment thief would be an independent charge, compounded, not bundled as only one.
The fact that he had co-conspirators only proved the RICO aspects of these thefts.
Someone blew this case, big time. Maybe Att.Gen.had his fingers in how it was handled. Worth a grand jury investigation.
Looks like he was trying to diversify by becoming a cocaine dealer too. Unless he actually intended to snort the entire two kilograms personally.
It’s possible he cut a deal and rolled on some higher ups.