My Story 12.28.06 // Comments (3)
When I arrived at the DEA field office in ********, **, all three agents were waiting. They said they wanted me to look at some photos to see if I recognized anyone. I recognized photos of Jose Jiminez and a person named Christopher Sanchez(who I had met only two previous times before). They showed me a picture of someone who was very beat up and bleeding. The picture was of someone I had also met only two or three times previously. I view that photo as yet another threat from these three agents. Agent John ******* began talking to me and said I was lying in the extent of involvement in this drug ring and I insisted that I had no involvement. At some time I recall Agent Robert ***** insisting I would spend 15 years in prison if I didn’t cooperate and tell them everything. He then made the statement, “Do you know what it is like being a white boy in prison?“. I then insisted that I was innocent to all three of the agents. The agents then told me that I should wear the wire so I could prove my innocence to them. I informed them that I did not want to wear the wire at that time because I did not have any sleep the night before. Agent John ******* and Agent Brian ******* then escorted me to a small steel cell with a metal bench which spanned the length of the cell and was located on the right hand side of the cell. Agent John ******* told me to call him when I decide I am ready to wear the wire and then gave my cell phone to me. He then shut and locked the cell door.
Approximately two hours passed in the cell and I finally decided to wear the wire so I called Agent John *******'s cell phone number that he had me put on my cell phone before locking me in the cell. He did not answer the first time I tried so I tried fifteen minutes later and he answered. Agent John ******* unlocked the door accompanied by Agent Brian *******. They then escorted me to a room and again had me place a listening device in my ear and informed me to call Jose Jiminez and arrange a meeting. I called Jiminez and he said he was at his house on Market in ********, CA. The agents then followed me to a location near where Mr. Jiminez was and they gave me a wire that looked like a pager device. I went and met Mr. Jiminez and I asked “If he had any work for me to do?”. This was the question the agents wanted me to ask in order to prove my innocence. Mr. Jiminez replied he wanted to start work on a trailer and he wanted to speak to my father about it too.
I thought that would be the last time that I would hear from the DEA, but on May 24, 2007, Agent Brian ******* along with one other agent arrived at my home and arrested me. He walked through our garage with my father. My father wanted to know what he was looking for and he replied “I’m looking for a box!”. Agent Brian ******* again tightened the cuffs as tight as they would go as he placed me in his SUV. He never read me my Miranda Rights or showed me my arrest warrant , which I asked for. He then took me to ***** County Jail in *************, CA. The following morning I was taken to the ******** **** Federal Building where I was arraigned.
My discovery was released June 14, 2007 and I was shocked to read statements that these agents attributed to me. Every statement is a 100% fabrication by these agents. I never signed a Miranda Rights Form or any statements. My attorney informed me that it is very difficult to beat a case where federal agents are willing to lie about things to a jury. So, recently I made a proffer with these same abusive agents. My attorney and I wanted this proffer recorded but when we arrived the agents told us they would not give us permission to record because it ‘was not their policy’. I refused to testify to things and commit perjury based on the statements they had attributed to me in my discovery. A great injustice is being done to me. I have no criminal record, have never been arrested and serve my community as a Federal Election Judge.