Dominican Republic courts order preventive detention in multiple fraud and crime cases

Judicial authorities in the Dominican Republic have issued several preventive detention orders involving fraud, theft, and drug trafficking.

In the Distrito Nacional, Yoan Manuel Jiménez Medina was sentenced to three months of preventive detention for an iPhone scam that resulted in the death of Enmanuel Contreras Medina. The investigation revealed that Jiménez Medina posed as a seller to obtain RD$15,000 from the victim via bank transfer. The incident, which occurred in the Los Praditos sector, led to a confrontation that caused Contreras Medina's death.

In La Romana, a court imposed one year of preventive detention on Alejandro Rodríguez Reyes, Alex Ernesto Rodríguez Rondón, and Ámbar Melissa Rodríguez Ellis. The trio is accused of conducting unauthorized financial operations through Agente de Cambio Rodríguez Reyes, S.A. and AERR Group, S.R.L. between 2020 and 2026. Initial estimates place the economic damage at over RD$57.8 million, US$317,000, and €160,000, with more than 100 victims reporting losses.

Additionally, Santiago Bautista Castillo, a partner at Fortibase Global, SRL, was ordered to serve 18 months of preventive detention. He is accused of participating in a criminal structure that processed and transported drugs to Europe and Puerto Rico using concealed compartments in shipping containers.