Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein Dies While Presiding Over Maduro Case

Overview

• Hellerstein died on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at age 92 while still hearing high‑profile matters and the court scheduled his funeral for October 29 in Manhattan.
• He had recently presided over initial proceedings for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, including a March hearing that denied dismissal of charges and allowed defense access to funds from Caracas.
• Maduro and Flores face U.S. charges tied to narcoterrorism and alleged torture with a trial set for June 2027, but the judge’s death leaves the timetable and courtroom procedures unsettled.
• Related prosecutions, most notably Hugo Armando 'Pollo' Carvajal’s guilty plea and cooperation, are treated in court filings as central to the government’s case and will still factor into how the new judge manages evidence and testimony.
• Hellerstein built a long, high‑profile career at the Southern District of New York handling 9/11 civil claims and other major cases, and his passing will reshape docket assignments and could change scheduling, briefing deadlines, and logistical plans for defendants and witnesses.