Willy Falcon
Willy Falcon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Augusto Guillermo Falcón September 1, 1955 |
| Other names | Doctor Wilfredo Vargas |
| Occupation | Drug lord |
| Known for | Drug lord, Offshore powerboat racer |
| Criminal status | Released and deported from the United States |
| Convictions | Illegal possession of a firearm (1997) Money laundering (2003) |
| Criminal penalty | 14 years imprisonment |
| Accomplice | Sal Magluta |
Augusto Guillermo "Willy" Falcon (born September 1, 1955) is a former drug kingpin who, along with his partner Sal Magluta, operated one of the most significant cocaine trafficking organizations in South Florida history.
Biography
[edit | edit source]Speedboat racing
[edit | edit source]Falcon was a speedboat racing champion in the 1980s.[1]
1996 trial
[edit | edit source]Magluta, along with his partner, Falcon was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 1991 for a plethora of drug trafficking crimes, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise accused of importing and distributing over 75 tons of cocaine.[2][3] Falcon was represented by Albert Krieger, Susan Van Dusen, and D. Robert "Bobby" Wells.[4] His partner Magluta was represented by Roy Black, Martin Weinberg, and Richard Martinez (Magluta's brother in law).[2] Both Magluta and Falcon were found not guilty after a lengthy trial before Judge Federico Moreno.
Gun conviction
[edit | edit source]In 1997 he was convicted for illegal possession of a firearm.[5]
Juror bribery
[edit | edit source]Following the 1996 trial, the United States Attorney's Office directed an investigation into Magluta and Falcon's finances that ultimately revealed that members of their jury - including the jury foreman - had been bribed. Magluta, Falcon, several of the jurors, their associates and even some of their lawyers were ultimately charged with various criminal offenses arising from the conduct.[6][7]
Guilty plea and deportation
[edit | edit source]In 2003 he pled guilty to a single count of money laundering in a plea deal with the government for a reduced 20-year sentence.[8] After his 2017 release he was transferred to ICE custody.[9] He was deported to the Dominican Republic, where he stayed for a short period of time, as the Dominican Republic authorities did not want his residence in the country.[10] He was forced to flee the country and his whereabouts are currently unknown.[11]
In popular culture
[edit | edit source]Falcon and his partner Magluta are the subjects of the 2021 documentary Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami.[12]
Rick Ross' single, "Little Havana", released December 2, 2021, opens with Ross and Falcon talking; Falcon claims to have helped build Miami into the city it is today and expresses appreciation to Rick Ross for "keeping my name alive in your music".[13] Falcon participated in the filming of the song's music video, appearing in the opening and closing, while archival footage of him racing his speedboat appears near the midpoint.[14]
References
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- 1955 births
- Living people
- 20th-century criminals
- Cuban gangsters
- Hispanic and Latino American gangsters
- American crime bosses
- Cuban drug traffickers
- People convicted of money laundering
- Criminals from Miami
- Cuban emigrants to the United States
- Cuban prisoners and detainees
- People deported from the United States