Ailina Tsarnaev appeared in court on Wednesday to address a warrant for her arrest. Ailina is the sister of Boston Marathon bombing suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. She is accused of assisting in a counterfeit money operation.
The 23-year-old appeared in the South Boston District Court with attorney George Gormley. The attorney argued that his client was not a flight risk, as she has a small child at home and is currently pregnant.
Gormley said his client would return to her New Jersey home upon release. She also agreed to maintain contact with a probation officer. Gormley said his client wants to “get herself in good standing with the court.”
Prosecutors argued that the suspect previously fled while on bond . She was initially scheduled to appear on February 24, 2011. However, she missed her appearance and vanished.
Judge Michael C. Bolden sided with the defense. Ailina was released without bond, under the agreed conditions. Her pretrial is scheduled for December 4.
As reported by Boston Herald , the charges stem from an April 2010 incident . Ailina Tsarnaev is accused of participating in a counterfeit money scheme in Cambridge. Authorities say the suspect and her friends dined in a restaurant and paid with counterfeit money.
Authorities said the suspect was uncooperative when questioned. She reportedly admitted transporting and dining with the group. However, she claims she did not know them personally and had no idea they were using phony cash.
As reported by Boston.com , she was eventually charged with impeding a criminal investigation . Ailina said she “did not want to be a snitch.”
The Tsarnaev family is plagued with tragedy and legal trouble. Tamerlan and Dzhokhar are accused of planting bombs during the Boston Marathon. The blasts wounded more than 260 and killed four. Although Tamerlan was killed in a police chase, Dzokhar is currently incarcerated. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.
Bella Tsarnaev was charged with possession of marijuana in 2012.
Ailina Tsarnaev’s court appearance was an attempt to clear up her previous legal issues. Her attorney said she is ready to move beyond her troubled past.
[Image via Flickr ]
