Luz Mery Gutierrez Vergara, Material Support to FARC, Washington 2008

A 32-year-old Colombian citizen, Luz Mery Gutierrez Vergara, was arraigned in federal court in Washington, D.C., to face charges for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to provide material support to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, commonly known as the 'FARC.'

Gutierrez Vergara was extradited from the Republic of Colombia on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

According to the indictment, in September 2007, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia indicted Gutierrez Vergara, along with a number of her co-conspirators, on two counts: conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization and providing material support or resources to a terrorist organization.

The indictment alleges that Gutierrez Vergara was involved in a conspiracy to assist the FARC by establishing and personally serving in a logistical support and supply network designed to procure weapons, ammunition, high technology devices, money, and other materials and supplies, and to transport and deliver these and other commodities, including hostages, to and among the FARC.

The FARC, an armed and violent organization in Colombia, has been designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997. The FARC has been involved in murders and hostage takings, and was responsible for holding three Americans – Marc D. Gonsalves, Thomas R. Howes, and Keith D. Stansell – hostage from February 2003 until they were rescued in a Colombian military operation in July 2008.

According to the indictment, Gutierrez Vergara is alleged to be affiliated with the First Front, a large and trusted FARC logistical network which was controlled by Gerardo Antonio Aguilar Ramirez, also known as 'Cesar.' Colombian law enforcement apprehended Cesar during the daring July 2008 hostage rescue.

Gutierrez Vergara was arrested by Colombian military and law enforcement officials in February 2008. Throughout the investigation, Colombian law enforcement and prosecution authorities worked cooperatively with the FBI, ICE, and DCIS.

In August 2008, the United States filed a formal request with the Republic of Colombia seeking extradition on these charges. The extradition request was subsequently granted by the Colombian Supreme Court, and then by the Colombian Ministry of Justice and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

If convicted of the charges in the criminal indictment, Gutierrez Vergara faces a maximum of 15 years' imprisonment.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/colombian-national-arraigned-charges-providing-material-support-farc