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 veggie
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 Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants  1
#15801200 - 02/12/12 11:39 PM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants
February 13, 2012 - chron.com
To cops and the courts, they are confidential informants and cooperating co-conspirators. In the streets, they are snitches and rats.
They make deals to avoid prosecution or do less time, sometimes paid with tax dollars to burrow in where undercover officers cannot. But once deals are made with authorities, what may seem a stroke of luck can become a life imperiled.
Countless criminals, lovers, brothers and friends have gone down in part on the word of an informant or government witness, a high-stakes turn-of-play that fuels distrust and sometimes leads to death.
Authorities do not track how many informants are working for local, state and federal officers; nor are there standard guidelines for how they are used, or protected.
But their secretive roles in law enforcement increasingly are being made public in Texas and elsewhere as the collateral damage plays out in killings, arrests and attacks.
"A huge part of police work is developing a network of people who are plugged into those who are violating the law," said Mark White III, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice. "You have to leverage contacts with the underworld in order to do effective police work."
When federal agents wanted to snare a prison gang leader, they went to his Tomball wife and threatened to charge her with hefty crimes if she didn't offer up information about his dealings. So Sharleiy Cooke did, ratting on husband Steven Cooke, an Aryan Brotherhood of Texas "general" who is serving time for a weapons conviction and awaits sentencing for his role in a murder.
She's now in hiding.
"I have no idea what the rest of my life is going to be," she said by phone from an undisclosed location. "I am afraid to get a job, afraid to have a phone in my name, afraid to have anything associated with me."
One informant interviewed by the Chronicle said he cooperated with authorities to save himself and get even with a Mexican drug trafficker who had ordered a friend's murder.
"It is an essential thing. You can't do it any other way," said the man, who dealt in millions of dollars in cash and bulk loads of cocaine and helped agents take on a Mexican cartel. "They need informants.
"Even going back to catching Geronimo, they had informants," he said. "Who got (Osama) bin Laden? The SEALs got him with an informant."
Generally, informants provide intelligence on how an organization works, who handles money or drugs, who are the top dogs, as well as identifying voices caught on tape.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is guarded about how it uses informants.
"The use of human intelligence - confidential sources - has long been the backbone of DEA's enforcement and intelligence programs," said Barbara Carreno, a DEA spokeswoman in Washington. "They can make observations in places where strangers would be immediately suspect; they can conduct undercover negotiations with cautious suspects; and they can gain firsthand, timely intelligence."
That intelligence can be costly.
When a Mexican cartel-connected hit squad attacked a truck delivering a load of pot in Harris County in November, the driver was shot to death. Only then did his family learn the truth: He was earning extra money working as a spy for the government.
And a Houston man who allegedly confessed to being a weapons trafficker for the Zetas crime syndicate is now on the run - both from the law and from fellow criminals - after helping authorities make busts, then dropping out of sight.
"While much of the work DEA does with confidential sources is understandably sensitive, it is important to note that they have proven to be one of the best sources of information regarding drug trafficking," the DEA's Carreno said.
There is long list of high-profile criminals taken down with the aid of informants, or co-conspirators who turned government witness.
Among them are Barry Bujol, the Texan who was recently convicted of attempting to aid al-Qaida terrorists; Aryan Brotherhood of Texas general Cooke; accused swindler R. Allen Stanford - whose former college roommate and business colleague testified against him; and former leaders of the Gulf Cartel, Juan Garcia Abrego and Osiel Cardenas Guillen.
Garcia is serving life without parole; he refused a deal. Cardenas cooperated with the government and is imprisoned under heavy security.
"We used to yell, 'Snitch, we know you are a snitch,'" said Mike Mendoza, a gang member who was temporarily locked up near Cardenas at a detention center in Conroe. He said fellow inmates hurled insults and curses at the man, once a powerful drug lord.
Alexandra Natapoff, a professor at the Loyola Law School Los Angeles, notes an explosion in the use of informants in the justice system.
"The nature of the deal is that someone the government might otherwise arrest, charge and prosecute will escape some or all of that threat by cooperating with the government," Natapoff said. "The unfairness is often that the worst criminal benefits the most from the informant deal because they have the most information to trade."
In 2010, a prison gang member got 30 months following his cooperation in a racketeering case that began with the probe of a murdered FBI informant. He took the deal, but was warned that his life would never be the same.
"You cannot go back," prosecutor Tim Braley said. "They will kill you."
The drug trafficker informant interviewed by the Chronicle for his part in taking down top members of a Mexican cartel believes that most of his enemies are in prison.
As for the rest, "They're all dead," he said.
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 LSDylan
Stoner
Registered: 05/26/10
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: veggie] 4
#15801266 - 02/13/12 12:00 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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I have to say it or else someone else will. Snitches get stitches.
Seriously just do the honorable thing and take the charge. You got busted not the person you work for.
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   Rave | Drugs
Everything contained in my post is for entertainment purposes only, and should be considered fictional.
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Jessica Swift
यन्त्र
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: LSDylan] 1
#15801977 - 02/13/12 07:09 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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I am completely against snitching, but one behavioral rationalization is this: many drug users are compelled by a semi-autonomous urge to satiate their meso-limbic reward pathway due to selfish drives. Therefore, sacrificing the life of another person in exchange for the preservation of their own freedom goes hand-in-hand with the decision making process that enabled the individual to sacrifice or forfeit other things in order to obtain a high.
I know this is a generalization and there are a diverse range of "informant" types. I'm just saying in many cases the uncouth fellows who are attracted to the drug game are more than likely not going to preserve street cred when their ass is on the line.
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gamer4life
Natures Child
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 753
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: veggie] 1
#15802066 - 02/13/12 07:53 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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Black folks are some of the most loyalist players. I sometimes wonder if this is the reason that many more black men are in prison compared to white men. This is why we see many African Americans in prison for 10 years or more. They refused to help the police in any way. White people are more self-centered and will bring anyone down to satisfy their own agenda. I'm not saying that blacks aren't snitches but it seems that more white folks snitch than blacks. I could actually turn this theory into a research and find out a more factual answer instead of relying on opinion. Anyone else ever notice that blacks are more loyal to their group circle than whites?
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Legalize!
Stop putting our children in prisons.
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 doeboy99
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: gamer4life] 1
#15802124 - 02/13/12 08:19 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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You guys are fucking idiots. There is no loyalty in the game when it comes to doing 20+ years. Ultimately everybody is looking out for themselves and their family. If they can avoid a sentence and get in witness protection you won't ever see or hear from them again except at the trial. Only kids believe in this 'snitch' stupid bullshit. Put anybody up for 20+ years in jail that hasn't already been there a bunch of times and they will sing like a bird. If the RICO act didn't exist then there probably wouldn't be all these turncoats. When the mafia all started turning you know there is ultimately no loyalty when it comes down to it. Its all about how much time your gonna do...there are plenty of 'snitches' living under assumed names that will never get touched and live a normal life. The only people I ever hear talk about snitches are fuck tard's that don't understand its every man for himself. Hell if you get busted and are up for a ton of time if your partners in crime are smart they will kill you anyway knowing you will turn.
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Jessica Swift
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: doeboy99] 1
#15802128 - 02/13/12 08:23 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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Quote:
Hell if you get busted and are up for a ton of time if your partners in crime are smart they will kill you anyway knowing you will turn.
You've seen too many movies. 
Most drug cases, despite the headlines, involve small amounts and local cases. The local task force use these individuals ("fucktards" as you say) in a quasi-pyramid scheme to track larger players.
But when it comes down to it, most snitches are the kids. Who do you think gets busted?
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Beanhead
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: Jessica Swift] 2
#15802205 - 02/13/12 08:53 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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"I have no idea what the rest of my life is going to be," she said by phone from an undisclosed location. "I am afraid to get a job, afraid to have a phone in my name, afraid to have anything associated with me."
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Psychiatry is used for political reasons. (...) It explains why pathological governments always have considered dissidents as "mentally abnormal".
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Sulfurshelfsean
Defender of Cubes
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: Beanhead]
#15802487 - 02/13/12 10:24 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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Yeah doesnt sound like that ladies well protected...I think when you're talking about big cartel-esque drug busts, they probably get protection, more than likely because that informant has information about other workings of the drug ring, but when they put some street level dude behind bars, and everything is very local, they don't see it as a big issue and the informant is suseptable to all that dealers friends, etc...who were in their group.
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DebuteMachine
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: doeboy99] 1
#15802650 - 02/13/12 11:13 AM (3 months, 14 days ago) |
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Quote:
doeboy99 said:
You guys are fucking idiots. There is no loyalty in the game when it comes to doing 20+ years. Ultimately everybody is looking out for themselves and their family. If they can avoid a sentence and get in witness protection you won't ever see or hear from them again except at the trial. Only kids believe in this 'snitch' stupid bullshit. Put anybody up for 20+ years in jail that hasn't already been there a bunch of times and they will sing like a bird. If the RICO act didn't exist then there probably wouldn't be all these turncoats. When the mafia all started turning you know there is ultimately no loyalty when it comes down to it. Its all about how much time your gonna do...there are plenty of 'snitches' living under assumed names that will never get touched and live a normal life. The only people I ever hear talk about snitches are fuck tard's that don't understand its every man for himself. Hell if you get busted and are up for a ton of time if your partners in crime are smart they will kill you anyway knowing you will turn.
Yea... you are a snitch dude. No longer trusting you, my friend!
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durian_2008
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: DebuteMachine]
#15805839 - 02/13/12 08:59 PM (3 months, 13 days ago) |
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If the assumption is that they play you and your associates against each other, why would you trust them never to reveal that you had snitched.
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Humility
Working on it
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: doeboy99] 1
#15806716 - 02/14/12 01:15 AM (3 months, 13 days ago) |
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Quote:
doeboy99 said:
You guys are fucking idiots. There is no loyalty in the game when it comes to doing 20+ years. Ultimately everybody is looking out for themselves and their family. If they can avoid a sentence and get in witness protection you won't ever see or hear from them again except at the trial. Only kids believe in this 'snitch' stupid bullshit. Put anybody up for 20+ years in jail that hasn't already been there a bunch of times and they will sing like a bird. If the RICO act didn't exist then there probably wouldn't be all these turncoats. When the mafia all started turning you know there is ultimately no loyalty when it comes down to it. Its all about how much time your gonna do...there are plenty of 'snitches' living under assumed names that will never get touched and live a normal life. The only people I ever hear talk about snitches are fuck tard's that don't understand its every man for himself. Hell if you get busted and are up for a ton of time if your partners in crime are smart they will kill you anyway knowing you will turn.
Nah, that's just you.
Every year you avoid in this realm, snitching out someone that didn't get caught, will come back to you in the next, 100 fold.
You won't allow anything else because you'll realize the selfish and inappropriate nature of the decision you made. Balance will require it and at that point you'll yearn for nothing more than balance.
Your best bet would be to do your time here while you can still make that decision.
I bet you don't talk this "every man for himself" diatribe until the shit goes down, do ya? I wish your people knew what you were about, for their own sakes.
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Rexter
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: Humility]
#15806991 - 02/14/12 04:34 AM (3 months, 13 days ago) |
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Well one day a lot of police were.arrived and I was expecting a drug deal really soon I texted my Guy with the quickest fingers I've ever seen "ABORT COPS" and he was only like 2 or so min away. I respect my dealers I guess
and when I was younger I sniched on fellow classmates (grade 5ish) but I learned fast that it was very wrong and stupid and almost everyone hated me with a passion and never talked to me, I also later on got snitched on.
I now hate and disrespect my younger me and sniches. I also looked at a 5yr sentence but didnt say a word.
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Meteloides said:
Stick to naturally occurring substances! Like Shrooms! And DMT! And Datura! And Amanita Phalloides! And Nutmeg! And Hemlock!
That'll expand the shit out of your DNA.
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dwpineal
Psychedelic Artist
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: doeboy99] 1
#15808213 - 02/14/12 12:35 PM (3 months, 13 days ago) |
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Quote:
doeboy99 said:
You guys are fucking idiots. There is no loyalty in the game when it comes to doing 20+ years. Ultimately everybody is looking out for themselves and their family. If they can avoid a sentence and get in witness protection you won't ever see or hear from them again except at the trial. Only kids believe in this 'snitch' stupid bullshit. Put anybody up for 20+ years in jail that hasn't already been there a bunch of times and they will sing like a bird. If the RICO act didn't exist then there probably wouldn't be all these turncoats. When the mafia all started turning you know there is ultimately no loyalty when it comes down to it. Its all about how much time your gonna do...there are plenty of 'snitches' living under assumed names that will never get touched and live a normal life. The only people I ever hear talk about snitches are fuck tard's that don't understand its every man for himself. Hell if you get busted and are up for a ton of time if your partners in crime are smart they will kill you anyway knowing you will turn.
Sorry this is dead fucking wrong
8 years to snitch vs. Life in prison for LSD (for keeping your mouth shut)
Edited by dwpineal (02/14/12 12:41 PM)
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durian_2008
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: dwpineal]
#15813250 - 02/15/12 10:58 AM (3 months, 12 days ago) |
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I don't believe you could ever count on being free, because the knowledge of your cooperation could be exploited.
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CrossingTheStar
Unoriginal Philosopher
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: dwpineal] 1
#15813403 - 02/15/12 11:34 AM (3 months, 12 days ago) |
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Quote:
dwpineal said:
Sorry this is dead fucking wrong
8 years to snitch vs. Life in prison for LSD (for keeping your mouth shut)
I definitely, definitely have the utmost respect for that guy.
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 Smoke enough weed and you'll never grow up, mentally. Peter Pan strain.
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maug
Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 1,569
Loc: inside you
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: CrossingTheStar] 2
#15813563 - 02/15/12 12:17 PM (3 months, 12 days ago) |
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Not snitching begins with knowing your rights. Don't talk to police.
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/postlist.php/Board/46
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I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction. -Calvin and Hobbes
Edited by maug (03/08/12 11:38 AM)
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trip forever
Stranger
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Posts: 5,488
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Re: Snagged by snitches: a legacy of secret government informants [Re: doeboy99]
#15918378 - 03/08/12 07:25 AM (2 months, 21 days ago) |
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Quote:
doeboy99 said:
You guys are fucking idiots. There is no loyalty in the game when it comes to doing 20+ years. Ultimately everybody is looking out for themselves and their family. If they can avoid a sentence and get in witness protection you won't ever see or hear from them again except at the trial. Only kids believe in this 'snitch' stupid bullshit. Put anybody up for 20+ years in jail that hasn't already been there a bunch of times and they will sing like a bird. If the RICO act didn't exist then there probably wouldn't be all these turncoats. When the mafia all started turning you know there is ultimately no loyalty when it comes down to it. Its all about how much time your gonna do...there are plenty of 'snitches' living under assumed names that will never get touched and live a normal life. The only people I ever hear talk about snitches are fuck tard's that don't understand its every man for himself. Hell if you get busted and are up for a ton of time if your partners in crime are smart they will kill you anyway knowing you will turn.
I'm not going to go into details but I have been put through something like this. No, I didn't snitch. Even if I did, all I probably would've gotten is a light beating, but I still didn't. I served my time yet had he option to almost completely terminate it but I didn't.
Rethink your values and keep in mind some of us have hearts for other people, not just ourselves.
Edit: btw law enforcement doesn't give a shit about your safety, they just want to look good and arrest the guy.
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Edited by trip forever (03/08/12 07:27 AM)
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