Montano expected to plead guilty - Update

Former Salvadoran General Inocente Orlando Montano is expected to plead guilty to immigration violations in Boston courtroom next Tuesday. That will bring us one step closer to determining what will happen to one of the men alleged to have been involved in the decision to murder the six Jesuits and their housekeeper and daughter at the UCA in San Salvador in November 1989.

I am still leaning towards the belief that he will be returned to El Salvador but am hoping for his extradition to Spain. Perhaps a Spanish court proceeding will kick start the wheels of justice in his home country.

***Update***

Apparently, Montano pleaded guilty on Tuesday to three counts of immigration fraud and three counts of immigration perjury. It's not an upcoming court appearance next Tuesday, but today. He'll be sentenced in December.

Under a deal with prosecutors, Montano pleaded guilty to three counts of immigration fraud and three counts of perjury. He admitted he lied when he applied for temporary protected status, a designation that allows some foreigners to stay in the United States if they are unable to safely return to their own country because of an armed conflict or other reasons.

Government attorneys say sentencing guidelines call for up to two years in prison. Montano's lawyer said he expects to argue at the Dec. 18 sentencing hearing that the guidelines call for less.

The US government has not yet decided, or won't say, whether it will respect Spain's request that he be extradited.