The trafficker was so helpful to investigators that prosecutors asked for a downward departure from the long punishment he could have faced.
Gonzalez Benitez, a Mexican immigrant raised in a drug-dealing family, became a confidential informant for Koen in 2014, two years before the agent was promoted and transferred from Jacksonville to Little Rock, Ark.
In return for cash payoffs, the DEA agent was providing what Gonzalez Benitez called “top cover protection” for the ring, information that helped the ring stay off investigators’ radar, according to a Justice Department description of the bribes. What Koen didn’t know was that the FBI had flipped Gonzalez Benitez in 2018, turning him into a source of information about a corrupt investigator.
The trafficker wore a wire to secretly record Koen at a meeting where a $9,000 bribe was delivered, according to court records and the Justice Department release describing the meeting at a Las Vegas hotel.“Come on, man, you know I always make it worth it for you,” the trafficker answered the agent, who warned his briber to get rid of all his phones and change his address because a search warrant could be executed soon.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Inflation Reduction Act could be 'game-changing' for millions of U.S. seniors'This is going to be game-changing,' said Rena Conti, an associate professor at Boston University's Questrom School of Business who studies drug pricing.
Weiterlesen »
‘Someone snatched his life’: Parents of teen killed hours after graduation announce increased rewardRashaud Fields’ family gathered this morning at John Phillips' downtown office as the attorney announced his law firm is offering $10,000 on top of the $3,000 CrimeStoppers reward.
Weiterlesen »
'Cannibal' coronal mass ejection from 'dark plasma plume' will slam into Earth tomorrow (Aug. 18)The sun's activity has been ramping as it approaches its 11 year peak
Weiterlesen »
Anne Heche's cause of death revealed: 'Inhalation and thermal injuries'The 53-year-old actress died Aug. 11... via YahooEnt
Weiterlesen »
Arlington voters to decide on increasing term lengths for mayor, city councilVoters in Arlington will soon decide whether the mayor and city council members should serve longer terms, just four years after residents overwhelmingly approved term limits for those positions.
Weiterlesen »