Aaron Washington faces 99 years in prison if convicted on 17 counts of drug trafficking and one count of leading a crime ring with Vonnie Williams, 44

Aaron Washington, 42, asked the court Wednesday to lower his bail and allow him to travel to Staten Island. Washington proposed that the court release him on a $25,000 bond -- equal to $2,500 cash -- and allow him to travel unaccompanied to New York. His mother, Mercedes Washington, remains on life support there, 10 days after a stroke.Juneau Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg denied the request.Juneau District Attorney Doug Gardner argued that if Washington was allowed to travel to New York, he would never return and Juneau authorities would be unable to retrieve him."It would send him to his lair, where he got drugs and brought them to the community," Gardner said.Washington faces 99 years in prison if convicted on 17 counts of drug trafficking and one count of leading a crime ring with Vonnie Williams, 44. The pair allegedly imported and sold pounds of cocaine and other drugs in Juneau since 2003.No connection was made in court between Washington's alleged drug business and his New York family. However, part of the alleged smuggling operation was managed through the mail, and police say at least one package containing $14,000 worth of oxycodone recently came from Staten Island.Juneau Police Investigator Dominic Branson said in 2006 Washington traveled to Staten Island, with a key witness, twice to pick up cocaine for his Juneau drug operation.Appearing in court by phone from New Jersey, James Washington, Aaron Washington's brother, promised the judge that during the visit he would remain constantly at his brother's side and would personally put Washington on a plane soon after their mother's death.James Washington said their mother would soon be pulled from life support.
"He will be back," Washington said. "I'm not going to jail for my brother."

Posted in: Staten Island