In a gripping tale of legal battles and prison survival, William Freeman Jr. recounts his arrest by Interpol in Costa Rica on charges from Wyoming dating back to 1991. Despite Costa Rica's lack of conspiracy laws, Freeman faced extradition for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. His fight against extradition led him through a harrowing 15-month stint in an overcrowded prison, a legal maze involving the intricacies of Costa Rican and international law, and ultimately an unexpected and controversial transfer to the United States.
In April 2000, William Freeman Jr. found himself in the custody of Interpol at his residence in Guadalupe, Costa Rica. The charges against him originated from Wyoming in 1991, where he was accused of conspiracy to distribute cocaine—a charge not recognized under Costa Rican law. Freeman, determined to resist extradition, was appointed a public defender and informed of his rights under both Costa Rican law and the bilateral extradition treaty with the United States.
Transferred to San Sebastian Prison in San Jose, Freeman faced dire conditions. The prison was severely overcrowded, with 324 inmates crammed into a unit with only 80 beds. Basic necessities such as clothing, hygiene products, and bedding were not provided by the facility. Freeman had to rely on outside help to survive, arranging for the delivery of food and other essentials. The prison environment was dark, filthy, and dangerous, with frequent violence and disease.
Freeman's public defender initially assured him of a favorable outcome, but the U.S. Embassy filed formal charges on the last day of the 60-day deadline set by the courts. Freeman took matters into his own hands, drafting an appeal in anticipation of an adverse decision. His proactive approach paid off when the court ruled in favor of extradition, but his appeal was already in place, buying him time to prepare further legal arguments.
In a surprising turn, the Costa Rican judge altered the charge from conspiracy to distribute cocaine to distribution of cocaine, aligning it with Costa Rican law and justifying the extradition. Freeman continued to study the law, becoming well-versed in extradition treaties and the Costa Rican Constitution. He discovered violations of his rights, including the lack of an interpreter and untranslated documents, leading to a suspension of the extradition proceedings.
Freeman's legal challenges highlighted the violation of Costa Rican constitutional principles, such as the prohibition of indeterminate sentences and the unconstitutionality of Article 16b of the extradition treaty, which allowed for additional charges post-extradition. His arguments led to a Supreme Court order preventing his removal from Costa Rica.
Despite legal victories, Freeman was unexpectedly taken from Costa Rica on May 9, 2001, by U.S. Marshals and sentenced to five years in a federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He completed his sentence on November 21, 2003.
Extradition cases like Freeman's are complex and often hinge on nuanced interpretations of law. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, extradition is a significant tool in combating transnational organized crime, yet it is fraught with legal and human rights challenges. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that hundreds of extraditions occur annually, but cases like Freeman's, where constitutional and treaty issues arise, are less common and highlight the delicate balance between international cooperation and individual rights.
For those interested in learning more about extradition laws and processes, the U.S. Department of Justice and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime provide valuable resources.
For inquiries, William Freeman Jr. can be contacted at william_freeman_109@hotmail.com.
Written by: William Warren Freeman Jr.
