Opinion ID: 1612479
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Lopez-Santos Case.

Text: On November 16, 1998, four defendants were indicted in federal court on drug charges. Each was represented by an attorney. The government had targeted one of the defendants, Fernando Lopez-Rayo (Lopez), as the ringleader, and another of the defendants, Francisco Santos-Vizcaino (Santos), was considering a plea bargain. On December 2, 1998, Herrera was asked by a third person to meet with Lopez, who was in jail. Following the meeting, Herrera notified Lopez's attorney and the United States Attorney that he believed he would be representing Lopez, and requested certain documents from the United States Attorney. On December 5, Herrera returned to the jail and again met with Lopez. During this meeting, Lopez told Herrera that Santos also wanted to talk to him. Herrera then met with Santos. Herrera indicated both men wanted to hire him to represent them, and the conversation was limited to the subject of employment and the payment of a fee. However, no arrangements were subsequently finalized and Herrera never entered an appearance in either case. Nevertheless, the attorneys representing the two defendants were upset once they learned Herrera had met with their clients.