My Story

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 July 1987 – January 1989    Successfully completed USBP Academy training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training (FLETC), Brunswick, GA; whereupon, was assigned as an Agent to the El Paso Sector in El Paso, TX. 

 

In addition to his regular duties as an Agent, participated as the primary Undercover Agent (UCA) in a high profile anti-smuggling long term assignment in the U.S.- Mexico area.  This investigation culminated in the dismantlement of a criminal enterprise that operated a multi-million dollar illegal alien smuggling operation into the U.S. from Brazil.

 

January 1989 – December 2009    Offered a seat at the FBI Academy, in Quantico, Va., Class 89-1, in January 1989.  Graduated from the FBI Academy as a Special Agent (SA) in April 1989.

 

Assigned to the FBI Albuquerque Division, in 1989.  Worked numerous Background, Fugitive, Bank Robbery, Indian Reservations, White Slavery, and Child Kidnapping (non-ransom) cases. 

 

Assigned to the FBI San Juan Division, in 1991.  Handled a plurality of Fugitive, Bank Robbery violations as well as the coverage of Presidential Appointees' background investigations in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Participated in Domestic Terrorism investigations targeting upper echelon members of the clandestine terrorist organization “Los Macheteros” {The Machete Wielders}.

 

Transferred to the Miami Division, in 1992.  Investigated International Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, International and Domestic Terrorism, White Slavery/Mann Act violations. 

 

Investigated the overseas homicide of U.S. Army Corporal Zak Hernandez who was brutally murdered in retaliation for President George H. W. Bush’s visit to Panama subsequent to “Operation Just Cause”.  Dealt with all aspects of the handling of three extraterritorial eye witnesses who testified during trial in the Republic of Panama, on behalf of the U.S., in October 1997.  Coordinated and effected the in country security and safe housing for the witnesses and 21 family members pre, during and post trial. Liaised with U.S. Army South (USARSO) and intelligence community officials, and developed contingency emergency plans for the evacuation of the witnesses and their relatives in the event of retaliation on the part of the subject terrorists.

 

Investigated the bombing of a Panamanian commuter Alas Chiricanas aircraft in which twenty one (21) people died including three U.S. citizens. 

 

Assigned to the FBI, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force, in May 1998.  Initiated a case targeting a Miami based criminal enterprise composed of individuals who migrated to the U.S. during the “Mariel” boat lift and others from Central and South America.  The members of this organization utilized police paraphernalia, operated from 1984 through 1999, and were responsible for multiple robberies, at least six homicides, drug and money rip-offs, home invasions, kidnappings, torture, extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering, a DEA Residence Agency bombing attempt, etc.  This criminal enterprise was dismantled in 1999.  A total of over forty subjects (40) were arrested, indicted, thirty five (35) convicted, and sentenced.  The sentences ranged between five (5) and thirty six (36) years in prison.

 

Involved as the Case Agent targeting the North Coast and Cali Cartels' maritime freighter cocaine smuggling, distribution, and money laundering operations.  As a direct result of his efforts, numerous multi-ton loads of cocaine were seized, dozens of subjects were arrested, indicted, convicted, and several freighters forfeited.  Demonstrated superb leadership and coordinating abilities as approximately 4,840 lbs. (2,200 kilograms) of cocaine were loaded and transported via Hercules C-130 aircraft from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Miami after seizure from the North Coast Cartel’s Motor Vessel (M/V) Adriatik as hurricane Lenny was pounding upon the islands.

 

Through investigative efforts, caused the disruption of numerous smuggling operations directed by Colombian narco-terrorist cells, North Coast, and Cali Cartels.  Due to the multiple disruptions and seizures, twenty three North Coast and Cali Cartels' members, and associates were assassinated by the Cartels. 

 

Developed and handled domestic as well as extraterritorial sources.  In a creatively and in an extremely effective and risky but calculated manner, actively recruited two “Upper Echelon” Colombian sources who were highly trusted by the North Coast Cartel.  Exhibited considerable resourcefulness, and humanitarian support during the recovery of another extraterritorial source that was critically shot in the chest in Colombia in retaliation for the seizure of two loads (11,000 lbs., 5000 kgs.) of cocaine.  Directed and assisted the source in his/her efforts to re-establish himself/herself within the Cartel. This source successfully continued participation for several years.

 

Investigative success in the international arena has been repeatedly demonstrated throughout deployments to North, Central, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East in support of FBI international investigations. 

 

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS

In the U.S., has participated on numerous long and short term undercover assignments pertaining to property crimes, drugs, money laundering, extortion, white slavery/Mann Act, and terrorism cases.

 

From March to April 2001, along with members of the U.S. intelligence community, deployed to South America to participate in an investigation in which U.S. assets in Ecuador, Uruguay and Paraguay became terrorism targets.

 

Assigned to the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) from November 2002 to December 2008.  Investigated the Fidel Castro’s assassination attempt in November 2000 in the Republic of Panama.

 

Demonstrated leadership skills for extended periods of time as the Acting Supervisory Special Agent (A/SSA) for JTTF Domestic Terrorism (DT) Squads directing the activities of Special Agents (SA), Task Force Officers (TFO), Intelligence Research Specialists (IRS), Supervisory IRS, and Information Management Assistants (IMA). 

 

In 2004, as part of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and “Operation Enduring Freedom”, deployed as a General Police Instructor (GPI) to the Iraqi Theater of Operations (ITO) to teach Criminal Intelligence Courses.

 

In 2005, deployed to the ITO to participate in significant investigations involving American Citizens hostage matters and several Counterterrorism (CT) and Counterintelligence (CI) leads as set by FBI Headquarters and field offices in the U.S.  Additionally, during the above deployment, was hand-picked to participate in five (5) sensitive missions in Iraq in support of a unique military operation.

 

As an FBI Agent and instructor, has publicly addressed a variety of audiences ranging from schools, church, university students, faculty, foreign officials, diplomats, etc.  Trained hundreds of law enforcement personnel in the U.S. and overseas.  Some of the training was conducted under extreme and austere circumstances. 

 

SPECIALIZED TRAINING, CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS

• DOJ, FBI ITSP/ITSMV Certification, Quantico, VA, 1990.

• DOJ, FBI  Group I Undercover Operations Certification, Quantico, VA, 1993.

• DOJ, FBI Undercover Certification, February 1993.

• FBI Director Louis Freeh, Ten Year Service Award and Key, January 1999.

• FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Hector Pesquera, Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Service, January 1999.

• Florida National Guard, Multi-jurisdictional Counter-drug Task Force Certification, Mobile, AL May 1999.

• Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), HIDTA, Maritime Counter-drug Interdiction, May 1999.

• FBI Director Louis Freeh, Certificate of Achievement, in connection with “Operation Caribbean Passage”, “Caracol Organization”, North Coast Cartel, September 2000.

• U.S. Ambassador Gwen C. Clare, Letter of Commendation, for participation in the kidnapping investigation of five (5) American citizens in Ecuador, 2001.

• South Florida HIDTA Service Award presented by Director Timothy D. Wagner, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, Deputy Chief Narcotics Section, Kenneth A. Blanco, November 2002.

• DOJ, FBI, General Police Instructor Certification, September 2002.

• FBI Director Robert Mueller, Certificate of Commendation for participation in “Operation High Roller”, September 2002.

• FBI, SAC Andrew R. Bland, III, Training and Development Division, Letter of Commendation, January 2005.

• Medical College of Georgia, Center of Operational Medicine, Tactical Law Enforcement Life Saver Certification, October 2005.

• FBI On-Scene-Commander, James H. Robertson, Certificate and Letter of Commendation for participation in the Global War on Terrorism, Baghdad, Iraq, January 2006.

• FBI Miami SAC Jonathan Solomon, Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Service, January 2009.

• FBI Director Robert Mueller, Twenty Year Service Award and Key, January 2009.

• United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, 2011 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.  This award was received, during retirement, as a result of a successful domestic terrorism investigation.

• 2016 - Awarded the Brevetto d’Oro (Gold Wings) by the Italian Associazione Nazionale  Carabinieri Paracadutisti