Pubdate: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2005 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Diana Washington Valdez, El Paso Times Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) SOLDIER ADMITS DRUG SMUGGLING Army Staff Sgt. Kelvin Irizarry-Melendez pleaded guilty Thursday to drug charges and was sentenced by a military judge to six years of confinement, reduction to private, forfeiture of pay and a dishonorable discharge. Irizarry-Melendez, 26, an exemplary soldier who rose rapidly in the enlisted ranks, was accused of conspiring with others to smuggle cocaine from Colombia and of transporting money in connection with the scheme. After entering his plea, the tearful Irizarry-Melendez told the court, "I have done a terrible thing. I have embarrassed my country, the Army and my family." He also said he became involved because he needed money to pay for his young daughter's expensive medical treatments that the insurance company did not cover. But the military prosecutor, who recommended a sentence of 16 years of confinement, said the soldier was a noncommissioned officer who knew better. According to testimony, Irizarry-Melendez had a government top-secret clearance, was a substance-abuse coordinator in his unit and belonged to the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion, which performed drug-interdiction duties in Colombia. Irizarry-Melendez was among the soldiers assigned to the 204th at Fort Bliss who traveled to Colombia as part of his work for the unit. The unit helped process intelligence about drug activities from intercepted communications in other countries. His wife, Kayla Rosas, a cousin who is a nun on temporary leave and an aunt who helped raise him testified that he was a loving husband and devoted father. Two other soldiers, Staff Sgts. Daniel Rosas and Victor J. Portales, are awaiting military judicial proceedings in the case. Rosas is to go on trial later this month. On Aug. 12, Spc. Francisco Rosa, pleaded guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to five years of confinement, reduction to private, forfeiture of pay and a bad conduct discharge. All the soldiers belonged to the same unit. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake