Jason Puracal News Articles

Family appealing for WA man convicted in Nicaragua

http://www.chron.com

SEATTLE (AP) — The family of a University of Washington graduate convicted in Nicaragua is appealing the case and asking the State Department to intervene.

The family of 34-year-old Jason Puracal held a news conference Tuesday in Seattle and said he was wrongly convicted Monday of drug trafficking and money laundering charges. KOMO reports grounds include arguing the judge in the case was not qualified.

The family also is working with Congressman Adam Smith of Washington who says he's asking the State Department to "explore all options under international law."

Puracal was arrested in November at his real estate office. He went to Nicaragua in 2002 with the Peace Corps and stayed to start a family and a business. He faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 6.