San Diego

A judge took under submission Tuesday a defense request to reduce the 20-year federal prison term being served by drug kingpin Manuel Battaglia.

Battaglia, 48, of El Cajon, was sentenced in September, 1988, by U.S. District Judge J. Lawrence Irving for running a continuing criminal enterprise and for a tax violation. Battaglia was a lead defendant in the June 16, 1987, grand jury indictments that included 36 other people in a large methamphetamine distribution operation.

Charles Goldberg, Battaglia’s attorney, urged the judge to reduce the sentence to 14 years, saying Battaglia is not now eligible for parole until 2002.

“Mr. Battaglia has accepted responsibility from the very earliest moment,” said Goldberg. Battaglia, who has completed two college courses while in federal prison in Pleasanton, has expressed regret for his leadership of the drug operation, Goldberg said.

But Special Assistant U.S. Atty. Hugh McManus urged that the sentence not be reduced, saying, “A drug kingpin . . . deserves everything he got.

“I think 20 years was a good plea bargain all the way around. I only wish it meant 20 years,” McManus told the judge. “I don’t think you can have much sympathy for a man who lived a very wealthy life, got three of his four sons into it (drugs), (and) his nephew,” said McManus.

Irving said he first wanted to hear from the attorneys for Battaglia’s brother, Jack Battaglia, 50, whom Irving sentenced last month to 29 years in prison. Irving said he will rule after considering requests to reduce both Battaglia brothers’ sentences.