Jonathan Diggins, a 47-year-old from San Francisco, is beginning a prison sentence in Ireland.
According to Sunday World, Diggins was detained and has now been sentenced to three and a half years after attempting to retrieve a suitcase filled with €330,000 worth of ketamine at Dublin Airport.
Diggins was traveling from Brussels to San Francisco via Dublin in October of last year when his suitcase, which contained a substantial quantity of ketamine, failed to make the connecting flight.
The discovery was made by U.S. clearance officers stationed at Dublin Airport. Weeks later, Diggins returned to Dublin to reclaim his lost luggage, leading to his arrest.
Jonathan Diggins, originally from Wilmington, Delaware, studied under Jill Biden during his earlier years. This connection has brought an added layer of public interest to his case. He was sentenced earlier today, August 1, 2024, with the sentence backdated to include time already spent in custody since November 28, 2023.
Judge Orla Crowe described the drug smuggling operation as "nefarious" due to the significant value of the drugs involved and the calculated attempt by Diggins to retrieve them.
The defense argued that Diggins never intended to import the drugs into Ireland, suggesting they were only in transit on his way to the United States.
During the trial, testimonials portrayed Diggins as a devoted father and an upstanding individual. His return to Dublin was characterized by his defense as a mix of "either stupidity or ignorance." His legal troubles caused him to miss significant family milestones, including his oldest child’s high school graduation.
Sentencing considerations highlighted by Judge Crowe included the difficulties Diggins faced as a non-national separated from his family. "The court would give Diggins extra credit for being a non-national who is facing difficulties in maintaining contact with family due to time zone differences and the long distance," she stated.
Diggins, who pleaded guilty to importing drugs on November 6, 2023, has cooperated fully with authorities during the investigation. His cooperation, along with his lack of prior convictions, was taken into account during sentencing.
During the sentencing, Judge Orla Crowe emphasized the gravity of drug importation and pointed out the deliberate nature of the defendant's actions in returning the suitcase, highlighting a clear intention to retrieve the drugs despite the legal consequences.
James Dwyer SC, defending, argued that his client did not intend for the drugs to reach Ireland, stating that they were merely being transported from Belgium to the United States.
Jonathan Diggins, a 47-year-old from San Francisco, has begun a prison sentence in Ireland after being caught trying to retrieve a suitcase containing €330,000 worth of ketamine at Dublin Airport. Detained since November 28, 2023, he was sentenced to three and a half years, backdated to his arrest date. Despite his defense claiming the drugs were in transit to the United States, the court noted the severity of his actions and the deliberate attempt to retrieve the suitcase.
