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Bail Hearing for Sports Agent in Cuban Player Smuggling Case

Baseball
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MIAMI (AP) — A bail hearing is set for a Florida-based sports agent charged with being part of a conspiracy to illegally smuggle Cuban ballplayers into the U.S.

A Miami federal magistrate judge is holding a detention hearing Monday for Bart Hernandez, who was arrested Friday. He is charged with two conspiracy counts that revolve around current Seattle Mariners outfielder Leonys Martin, a Cuban who previously played for the Texas Rangers.

Hernandez's attorneys say he's innocent. Prosecutors are seeking to keep Hernandez jailed until trial.

Hernandez worked for Praver Shapiro Sports Management, which in November announced a joint venture with Magnus Media run by entertainer Marc Antony.

Martin was the key player in an earlier indictment charging four people with conspiring to illegally smuggle ballplayers and hundreds of other people from Cuba.