N.Y. Bachata Singer Jimmy Bauer Gets Probation After Serving Three Years In Santo Domingo Prison

Jaime Vargas, aka, Jimmy Bauer

Vargas was convicted for trying to smuggle heroin into the U.S.

By H. Nelson Goodson

February 6, 2014

San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic - On Tuesday, Dominican Judge Rosa Esther Mejía Roca granted probation to Jaime Vargas, aka, Jimmy Bauer, a popular New York Bachata singer after serving three years, one month and 21 days in a dominican prison for a heroin smuggling conviction in 2012. Vargas was born in New York. He told the judge that he plans to get back into his singing career and wants to be a productive citizen.

Under the supervised conditions, Vargas was restricted from leaving the country, must live in Herrera, Santo Domingo, must get a job, was barred from bars or night clubs, can't do drugs or consume alcohol, stay with his sponsor and must report three times a month to his probation supervisor. He was also fined $50,000 pesos (U.S. $1,282.16) and must pay $25,000 pesos upfront and $1,000 pesos each month until his conditions for probation are fulfilled.

If Vargas fails to abide by his conditions of parole. He will serve the remainder of his sentence with no credit of probation accumulated days, according to court records.

Vargas was charged for drug trafficking and trying to smuggle heroin into the U.S. Vargas had been held in jail since, November 1, 2010 after being arrested for trying to smuggle one kilo of heroin (88 pellets) in his stomach, known as "Mule Smuggling." 

He collapsed at the Santo Domingo International Las Americas Airport when detained for suspicous behavior and minutes after, a small pellet full of heroin ruptured inside his stomach. The rupture caused an overdose that almost killed Vargas.

Vargas later admitted that he tried to smuggle the heroin, because he was broke, having financial problems and wanted some quick cash to make a bachata music video, according to the criminal complaint. If Vargas would have made the flight to the U.S., most likely he wouldn't have survived the flight, according to authorities.