Jonathan Eric Gardiner, who was previously jailed in the US for drug charges and later deported to The Bahamas in 2014, yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of cocaine importation conspiracy; firearms use, carrying and possession; and firearms conspiracy.
Gardiner was indicted in the Southern District of New York yesterday and made his initial court appearance in New York before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave hours later. Gardiner was “detained with consent”.
The indictment was unsealed nearly the same time a US judge denied a petition for Gardiner’s release.
In the indictment, it is alleged that Gardiner was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy starting on or about May 2021 and up to May 2026.
The US government is seeking the forfeiture of Gardiner’s assets, including “any and all property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds the defendant obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offense, and any and all property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, and to facilitate the commission of, the offense charged in count one (cocaine importation conspiracy) of this indictment”.
The indictment alleges that Gardiner and others known and unknown, conspired to import five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine into the US.
Gardiner is also accused of using and carrying firearms.
“It was a part and an object of the conspiracy that Jonathan Eric Gardiner and others known and unknown, during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, to wit, the drug trafficking crime charged in count one of this indictment, would and did knowingly use and carry firearms, and, in furtherance of such crime, would and did knowingly possess such firearms,” the indictment reads.
US prosecutors also want Gardiner to turn over all firearms and ammunition related to the charges.
If Gardiner is unable to forfeit any assets, prosecutors intend to seek forfeiture of any other property of the defendant up to the value of the forfeitable property.
Gardiner was represented by Sabrina Shroff, acting for Susy Ribero-Ayala.
ASUA Jonathan Bodansky and Juliana Murray appeared for the state.
Gardiner’s next court appearance is set for June 24 at 10 a.m.
Gardiner was onboard a plane that departed Marsh Harbour, Abaco, for Freeport, Grand Bahama on election day, May 12.
The plane later crashed into waters off Florida. The 11 survivors were rescued by the US Coast Guard.
Two days later, the US government filed a criminal complaint against Gardiner, alleging that he had been moving tons of cocaine through The Bahamas with the protection of Bahamian government officials and high-ranking politicians.
The complaint alleges that Gardiner was found with cell phones and a bag with $30,000 in cash with a Bahamian politician’s name written on it.
Gardiner was previously convicted in Florida for federal narcotics and money laundering offenses. He was sentenced to 220 months imprisonment and, as noted earlier, in or about 2014 was deported to The Bahamas.
