Man sentenced to 24 years in prison for building secret compartments in cars

[green73]

This is a rather long article, but well-written and a good read. Basically, this guy, Alfred Anaya, was a highly praised custom audio installer in southern Cal. He'd even received national recognition. His client list included the rich and famous. One of the things he did on the side was install secret stash spots or 'traps' as they are known. In CA it is not illegal to do such work unless the installer knows it is to be used for illicit activity. Prosecutions are rare and the maximum sentence is 3 years. Anayan did suspect some of his clients to be drug dealers, but he figured he was within the letter of the law, having at times asked them if everything was on the up and up and never having seen any drugs or guns. He was never caught discussing anything illegal.

Read the whole thing, about how, after refusing to become an informant, he got railroaded by the injustice system.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/03/alfred-anaya/all/

[phill4paul]

I had read this article earlier and was going to post it myself. Well worth the whole read.

[kcchiefs6465]

:mad:

Fuck RICO. 292 months for what?

[phill4paul]

:mad:

Fuck RICO. 292 months for what?

For putting the lives of family members ahead of become a narc for the DEA in return for a plea deal. Examples must be taught.

[belian78]

Another victim in the WoD, or more accurately, another victim in this specific front of the War on Us.

[green73]

I sent this to Bill Anderson. He is well-known for documenting the crimes of federal prosecutors. He posts:


More Tales from Amerika: Obey the Law, Go to Prison
Posted by Bill Anderson on March 30, 2013 11:41 AM

Federal criminal law permits prosecutors to charge people with "crimes" even though they have not broken the law. Prosecutors make up their own narratives and federal judges and juries always buy them no matter how outlandish. Read this story and you will see what I mean. It is not illegal to make "traps" in automobiles, but federal prosecutors still can make that a crime and destroyed the life of Alfred Anaya and his family.

Law in Amerika is irretrievably broken. It cannot be reformed. Prosecutors, police, and judges have immunity and are untouchable by the law, and there no longer is a speck of decency among any of these people.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/134727.html

Edit:

He writes:

I would have said more, but was so heartsick at what I read that I just could not do it.

[Anti Federalist]

"You guys are paranoid."

[Anti Federalist]

Law in Amerika is irretrievably broken. It cannot be reformed. Prosecutors, police, and judges have immunity and are untouchable by the law, and there no longer is a speck of decency among any of these people.

There are only two options left, when the law has become lawless.

Resist, and possibly die.

Comply, and most assuredly die.

[dannno]

lol, he even called himself "Esteban"

[kcchiefs6465]

I like the title change. Hopefully this gets the attention it deserves.

I was reading through the article and was pissed off enough thinking he received the three years in jail or at most five years. When I read 292 months I could not believe it. No parole on top of that. :mad: It takes a lot to surprise me but I was not expecting all that. Just-us that's for sure.

[kcchiefs6465]

lol, he even called himself "Esteban"
Who? And what is funny about that? Esteban is the Spanish name for Steven. Not really all that uncommon.

[Occam's Banana]

after refusing to become an informant, he got railroaded by the injustice system.

There is his "crime," right there. All that other stuff is just window dressing.

Snitches are the gerbils that keep the wheel of the Prison-Industrial Complex spinning.

[Indy Vidual]

This never happens in libertarian countries like America. :o

[dannno]

Running drugs from Southern California to Kansas was a highly profitable endeavor for Maldanado and Montiel. The two men frequented underground cockfights, where they would arrange to purchase cocaine and meth from a pair of high-level Mexican wholesalers they knew only as Suki and Gordito. They would then hire drivers to transport the product to Kansas City, where further distribution was handled by a brash twentysomething dealer named Curtis Crow.



Cereally?

[dannno]

Who? And what is funny about that? Esteban is the Spanish name for Steven. Not really all that uncommon.

Weeds.

[heavenlyboy34]

Who? And what is funny about that? Esteban is the Spanish name for Steven. Not really all that uncommon.
Esteban is a world-famous classical/flamenco guitarist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYDRPc3qSS8

[dannno]

When Anaya told the DEA that he was too frightened to become an informant, the agents made a new, more enticing proposition: They would set up Valley Custom Audio in a deluxe storefront, complete with every piece of equipment that Anaya desired. They wouldn’t ask him to place any surveillance gadgets in cars, but the shop would be bugged from floor to ceiling...

[fr33]

This never happens in libertarian countries like America. :o
If you've got a problem with it then move to Somalia. /sarcasm

[Occam's Banana]

I was reading through the article and was pissed off enough thinking he received the three years in jail or at most five years. When I read 292 months I could not believe it. No parole on top of that. :mad: It takes a lot to surprise me but I was not expecting all that. Just-us that's for sure.

He's being punished for refusing to be a snitch. He's being made to "do the time" that would have been done by all the people he might have ratted on.

His long sentence is the PIC's way of "recovering" all the revenues they will "lose" due to Anaya's refusal to help them fill their pockets by helping them fill more prison cells.

[Gideon]

There is his "crime," right there. All that other stuff is just window dressing.

Snitches are the gerbils that keep the wheel of the Prison-Industrial Complex spinning.

Quoted for truth.

Kenneth Trentadue (http://www.kennethtrentadue.com/) was tortured and murdered in the fed pen because he would not be a cooperative informant regarding the OKC Bombing.
His death resulted because he was mistaken for someone else who possibly knew about the FBI/DOJ conjured bomb plot.

Irwin Schiff languishes in prison today for writing a truthful book about the IRS, aptly entitled "The Federal Mafia." (http://www.paynoincometax.com/federalmafia.htm)

Scumbag snitches roam the streets today, paid by the FBI/DOJ, because they, like the feds, are professional pimps, whores, and liars.

Look at the current U.S. AG for God's sake! Waco, OKC, Gunrunner, Fast & Furious, no criminal prosecution of banksters, and God knows what other crimes under color of authority he has conjured and managed.

[Carson]

I suppose he will be busy building compartments for his friends and neighbors for free now.

[Anti Federalist]

You don't refuse the Mob when the Mob makes you an offer you can't refuse.

Especially when Tony Soprano has a badge.

[speciallyblend]

we need to get rid of the british gov oops i meant the fed gov!

[tangent4ronpaul]

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
Investigating and Prosecuting Hidden-Compartment Cases (October, 2010)

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/October-2010/investigating-and-prosecuting-hidden-compartment-cases

...
Another popular technique is to store the drugs within a hidden or concealed compartment in a vehicle. These compartments, also known as hides, traps, or clavos, are designed to disguise their existence by blending into the normal elements found in many means of transportation, such as cars, trucks, vans, boats, or airplanes.1 Such compartments can be built into almost any part of a vehicle, including seats, gas tanks, trunks, spare tires, and dashboards.

Hidden Compartments

Hidden compartments can vary in size and complexity. Some are designed to hold a single handgun while others can contain hundreds of pounds of drugs. In addition, the sophistication of a hide is only limited by the creativity and technical knowledge of its designer or installer. Rudimentary compartments consist of a very basic design with little or no alteration of the vehicle. Examples include using the space behind the center of the steering wheel or cutting away part of the rear bumper and adding a lid with hinges. More elaborate hides appear as part of the vehicle to inhibit the ability of law enforcement to discover them. Upon a cursory or even thorough examination, officers may overlook the hidden compartment because of its disguise as an unaltered component of the vehicle. However, the actual compartment is covered by a lid or built as a drawer. The lid or drawer is powered open by an electronic or pneumatic motor that can be triggered by activating a complex series of switches, such as turn signals, power windows, or the defroster. Beyond the difficulty of actually detecting the hide, officers often cannot determine the proper series of switches needed to open it. This provides an added level of protection for the illegal contents hidden inside the compartment.2

Techniques

Unlike drug transactions, which can transpire in hotel rooms, alleys, or parking lots, the installation of hides almost always occurs in some type of garage. Depending on the sophistication of the hide, equipment, such as acetylene torches to cut metal and hydraulic lifts to get access to the undercarriage of the vehicle, may be necessary. Because hide installers use specific work spaces, tools, and mediums (i.e., vehicles), investigators can employ several techniques to investigate hidden compartment cases.

Officers can use typical techniques employed in traditional drug investigations. Law enforcement officers can primarily identify those engaged in installing hides through the use of cooperating defendants perhaps arrested in possession of such a hide, from established confidential sources, or from anonymous tipsters. Investigators can employ an undercover operation to infiltrate the business and gather intelligence or evidence. For example, a confidential source or undercover agent may solicit the installer to sell a vehicle already equipped with a hide or to install a hide in a vehicle provided by law enforcement. Investigators should attempt to elicit statements that clearly demonstrate the installer knows the compartment will be used for illegal items.

For instance, the undercover operative could negotiate with the installer and specify that the hide should hold kilos of a drug, provide easy access to a firearm, or ensure that it will not be discovered by law enforcement. The undercover operative also could request references from satisfied customers of the installer, thereby gathering more evidence and identifying other drug traffickers. The undercover operation should be coupled with surveillance that could identify coconspirators, as well as other drug traffickers or vehicles containing hides.

Investigators also may seize a vehicle containing a hide. In those instances, they should research the ownership records. Officers may find a pattern of "straw" owners, thereby providing leads to other vehicles of interest owned by the same person. Upon dismantling the hide, investigators should check all of its components for serial numbers. By researching those numbers through the manufacturer, auto parts dealer, or junkyard, investigators may identify who purchased the components used in the construction of the hide. These steps could yield evidence crucial to the identification or prosecution of installers.

In addition, an often underused technique is to exploit the benefits of an off-line National Crime Information Center (NCIC) query. This is a special search conducted by certified personnel for information not available in online queries, such as those using incomplete information, like a partial license plate number or VIN. Investigators also can request a search of transaction logs to determine if another agency has queried the person or vehicle.3 Officers should request off-line NCIC searches on license plates or VINs from vehicles containing hides. The results will show what police agencies, if any, queried the vehicle, thereby creating a travel timeline for the vehicle, which may create new leads. For example, the hides may be installed in one state, but the vehicles may be used in other states to transport drugs. In addition, further research into the results of off-line searches by contacting the inquiring agencies may identify the drivers or passengers of vehicles. Off-line searches can provide a much broader picture of the illegal activity and uncover actionable leads or valuable intelligence that investigators may not otherwise possess.

Legal Tools

Unfortunately, the legal tools available in charging cases involving hidden compartments are fairly limited. There is no federal statute specifically addressing the design, manufacture, or use of a trap, or, in the slang, clavo. Instead, charges at the federal level must be addressed through a statute dealing with drug paraphernalia.

That statute, Title 21, U.S. Code, Section 863(a) (1), provides in pertinent part: a) It is unlawful for any person 1) To sell or offer for sale drug paraphernalia.

The term drug paraphernalia is further defined in Section 863(d) to mean:

Any equipment, product, or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing, producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance, possession of which is unlawful under this subchapter.4

An analysis of the federal statute demonstrates at least two significant drawbacks to its effective use in cases involving hidden compartments. First, as set forth in the overall prohibition of Section 863(a), the statute only applies in those instances where a person sells or offers for sale an item of drug paraphernalia. Second, the drug paraphernalia definition contains only one reference to a category that could be construed as covering a hidden trap: "Any equipment...which is primarily intended or designed for use in...concealing...a controlled substance, the possession of which is unlawful." (Emphasis added.)

Therefore, to establish a violation of Section 863 in a hidden trap case, the following elements must be established beyond a reasonable doubt:

1) The perpetrator sold or offered drug paraphernalia for sale.

2) The hidden trap was equipment or a product primarily intended or designed for use in concealing a controlled substance.

3) The perpetrator acted knowingly.

As a result, Section 863 cases are limited to situations where an undercover officer or informant solicits a suspect to build a hidden trap for a fee. This type of investigation would necessarily involve not only the development of evidence as to construction of the device but also the collection of recorded conversations between the law enforcement agent and the target in which the target is placed on notice that the device will be used for concealing a controlled substance. Unfortunately, this appears to be the only way that the required elements may be proven.

A recent case in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire is illustrative. In United States v. DeLeon, the defendants were charged with conspiracy to sell drug paraphernalia, aiding and abetting the sale of drug paraphernalia, and substantive drug offenses. The charges arose from an undercover investigation in which an informant solicited DeLeon and others to construct a hidden compartment in two separate vehicles, which were supplied by law enforcement. During the investigation, the informant engaged in several conversations in which he made clear that he planned to use the clavos to transport controlled substances. Despite these assertions, the targets nevertheless agreed to construct the devices, thereby demonstrating the necessary intent to prove a violation of the statute.5

Surprisingly, in light of the absence of an effective federal response for criminalizing the possession or use of a hide, a survey of existing state statutes reveals that only a small number of state legislatures have considered this significant problem and addressed it with legislation specific to the possession and use of hidden traps for transporting persons, controlled substances, and other contraband. The California legislature appears to be the first to address the issue. In 1993, it passed Section 11366.8 of the California Health and Safety Code titled, Construction, possession or use of a false compartment with intent to conceal a controlled substance. The statute addresses two primary types of conduct: 1) those who possess, use, or control a false compartment; and 2) those who design, build, alter, install, or fabricate a false compartment within a vehicle. Of course, the conduct contemplated by the statute must be in connection with "the intent to store, conceal, smuggle, or transport a controlled substance." 6

The statute proscribes two potential penalties, treating possessors and users more leniently than designers and builders. Under the California scheme, those engaging in possessory conduct face the prospect of imprisonment for up to 1 year, while manufacturers face up to 3 years of confinement.7

An Illinois statute that took effect in 2000, False or secret compartment in a motor vehicle, took a somewhat different approach. Section 12-612 of Chapter 625 of the Illinois Vehicle Code makes it unlawful for a person to "own or operate any motor vehicle he or she knows to contain a false or secret compartment" or to "install, create, build or fabricate a false or secret compartment."8

As originally enacted, the statute specified that the intention of the person to use the false compartment to conceal its contents from a law enforcement officer could be inferred from a variety of factors, including the discovery of a person, firearm, controlled substance, or other contraband within the false compartment or from the discovery of evidence of the prior placement of those items within such compartment. However, in People v. Carpenter, 368 Ill. App. 3d 299 (2006), that portion of the statute was held to violate due process because it was overly broad and potentially punished innocent behavior.9

An amendment to the statute effective in 2010 addressed the constitutional violation and criminalized two specific acts: 1) to own or operate with criminal intent any vehicle the perpetrator knows to contain a false or secret compartment that is used or has been used to conceal a firearm or controlled substances; and 2) to install, create, build, or fabricate in any vehicle a false or secret compartment, knowing that another person intends to use it to conceal a firearm or controlled substance.10 A violation of this statute results in the imposition of a consecutive sentence to the underlying controlled substance or firearms offense.11

By contrast, the reach of a Georgia statute, Vehicles containing false or secret compartments; owning or operating prohibited, exceeds that of both the California and Illinois laws. Section 16-11-112(c)(1) of the Georgia Code Annotated, which carries a penalty of up to 2 years imprisonment, makes it unlawful for persons to "own or operate any vehicle containing a secret compartment, to knowingly install, create, build, or fabricate the same in any vehicle, and to knowingly sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of a vehicle containing a secret compartment.12

The Georgia law, which took effect in 2006, employs a criminal intent inference similar to that used in the original, unconstitutional, Illinois statute. The Georgia statute clearly sets out the factors to be considered, including the knowing possession of a false compartment that is concealing a person for an unlawful purpose, concealing a controlled substance or other contraband, or showing evidence of previous concealment of the same. However, in light of the Illinois ruling, it is unclear whether the statute will survive if it is challenged in court.

Finally, Section 76-10-2801 of the Utah Criminal Code titled, Vehicle compartment for contraband – penalties, makes it a class A misdemeanor for a person "to knowingly possess, use, or control a vehicle which has a compartment with the intent to store, conceal or transport contraband." Like California, Utah's statute, which took effect in 2008, punishes manufacturers more severely, making it a third-degree felony for a person to facilitate the storage, concealment, or transportation of contraband by designing, constructing, building, altering, fabricating, installing, creating, or attaching a hidden compartment to or within a vehicle. As in the initial version of the Illinois statute and the current version of the Georgia statute, Utah also employs inference language for determining the existence of criminal intent.13

Goals

Law enforcement agencies should investigate individuals or organizations constructing hides for numerous reasons. First, even if prosecution is unlikely, investigating hide installers can provide vital intelligence regarding drug trafficking organizations. Knowing which vehicles may contain hides affords law enforcement personnel the opportunity to focus their attention on individuals or organizations using those cars. This targeted approach allows for the better application of scarce police resources.

Second, investigating and prosecuting installers can contribute to the dismantling of drug trafficking organizations. Like money launderers, hide installers provide a vital service to drug traffickers. Not having the ability to securely conceal their wares may deter drug dealers from engaging in the enterprise. In addition, with a lack of adequate hides, law enforcement is more likely to discover contraband, thereby increasing the chance to make arrests.

Third, and most important, hides can be constructed to not only conceal drugs but also firearms, explosives, and even people. Therefore, investigating hidden compartment cases contributes to officers' safety by educating them as to the existence and location of hides. Being aware of hidden compartments, how they function, and what they contain allows officers to operate more safely during what they may consider an otherwise routine traffic stop or other investigation.

Conclusion

Investigating and prosecuting hidden compartment cases can enhance officer safety, provide valuable intelligence, and lead to the seizure of evidence or illegal items. As such, police administrators should implement policy that incorporates these types of investigations into their agency's anticrime and antidrug efforts. In addition, prosecutors should analyze extant laws and develop legal strategies that can be employed to investigate and charge such cases. A successful investigation can greatly inhibit those criminal elements who use hidden compartments to further their criminal activity.

Endnotes
1 Clavo is the Spanish word for nail.
2 U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Forensic Sciences, "Common Vehicle Concealment Methods Used in the United States," Microgram, December 2003; available at http://www.justice.gov/dea/programs/forensicsci/microgram/mg1203/ mg1203.html (accessed August 2, 2010).
3 U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, CJIS Division, The Off-Line Search, available at http://gcicweb.gbi.state.ga.us/cjis/ori/tacconf/TACConfRef/NCIC%20Offline%20Search-2005.pdf (accessed August 2, 2010).
4 21 U.S.C. § 863 (2010).
5 District of New Hampshire, 06-cr-218-JD (2007).
6 Compartment includes any box, container, space, enclosure, false or altered fuel tanks, or factory installed equipment that is modified or altered or any compartment added to or created from an existing space. The term vehicle is given the broadest possible meaning, including cars, trucks, buses, aircraft, boats, ships, yachts, and vessels. West's Ann. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11366.8 (2009).
7 Ibid.
8 625 I.L.C.S. § 5/12-612 (2010).
9 People v. Carpenter, 888 N.E.2d 105 (Ill. 2008).
10 625 I.L.C.S. § 5/12-612 (2010). Similar to the California statute, the term vehicle is given the broadest possible meaning, while the definition of false compartment is limited to an enclosure integrated into a vehicle that is a modification of the original design of the manufacturer.
11 Ibid.
12 Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-112(c). (2010).
13 U.C.A. 1953 § 76-10-2801 (2010).

Reference 2, above, does not currently resolve, however it can be accessed as a pdf from:

http://www.justice.gov/dea/pr/micrograms/2003/mg1203.pdf (p278-283) December 2003

This article focuses on the how and where rather than investigation and prosecution. It's quite interesting.

Tricks of the (drug) trade, October 2010
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/tricks-of-the-drug-trade/article_1b439285-c883-5546-b71e-cd4b3bdf750e.html

This is a popular culture/mass media article intended for the general public.

Other articles related to the OP (4 of them) were all related to and pointed to the Wired article.

-t

[Matt Collins]

I sent this to Radley Balko, although I'm guessing he already knows.

[Cleaner44]

The failure of our fellow citizens on the jury on even more disturbing than the governments actions. :(

[heavenlyboy34]

Quoted for truth.

Kenneth Trentadue (http://www.kennethtrentadue.com/) was tortured and murdered in the fed pen because he would not be a cooperative informant regarding the OKC Bombing.
His death resulted because he was mistaken for someone else who possibly knew about the FBI/DOJ conjured bomb plot.

Irwin Schiff languishes in prison today for writing a truthful book about the IRS, aptly entitled "The Federal Mafia." (http://www.paynoincometax.com/federalmafia.htm)

Scumbag snitches roam the streets today, paid by the FBI/DOJ, because they, like the feds, are professional pimps, whores, and liars.

Look at the current U.S. AG for God's sake! Waco, OKC, Gunrunner, Fast & Furious, no criminal prosecution of banksters, and God knows what other crimes under color of authority he has conjured and managed.
Truth. But the "official" reason for Schiff's being thrown in a rape cage is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#Convictions_for_1997_through_2002_tax _years

On October 24, 2005, Schiff was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada,[27] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-27) on multiple counts of filing false tax returns for the years 1997 through 2002,[28] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-28) aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns filed by other taxpayers,[29] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-29) conspiring to defraud the United States,[30] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-30)and income tax evasion,[31] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-31)[32] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-32) and he is again serving jail time.[33] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-33) Schiff responded with numerous complaints about the trial process, including a claim that Judge Kent Dawson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Dawson) did not allow Schiff to present evidence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_(law)) at his trial.[34] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Schiff#cite_note-34)

The government would never be dishonest, of course. :rolleyes:

[phill4paul]

There is his "crime," right there. All that other stuff is just window dressing.

Snitches are the gerbils that keep the wheel of the Prison-Industrial Complex spinning.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA5YWL2MIh0

[HOLLYWOOD]

lol, he even called himself "Esteban"Oh this is it... lol!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kszwZXF4Eok

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

There is his "crime," right there. All that other stuff is just window dressing.

Snitches are the gerbils that keep the wheel of the Prison-Industrial Complex spinning.


Yep. And it will continue to be. The one thing on our side is the fiat money collapse you can see from miles away.



The failure of our fellow citizens on the jury on even more disturbing than the governments actions. :(


I agree. Every time I hear someone talking about avoiding jury duty, I go on an education spree, privately, or in public.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who think that trials protect the guilty. IMO, trials protect the innocent. My simple response to that (if anyone wants to use it) is "If they're so guilty that they don't need a trial, then it will be fast and cheap. Give them their trial and put them away."

[tod evans]

Prosecutors are the lowest form of life on the planet!

[MikeStanart]

Yeah, because snitching on the Cartel sounds like a GREAT idea for one's health.

[Anti Federalist]

The agents took Anaya to the DEA’s office in downtown Los Angeles, where they questioned him at length. Anaya spoke freely about his traps, estimating that he had built 15 over the past year. He even boasted about his perfectionism, stressing that he was always careful to conceal his wire harnesses.


McCracken took no pity on him. “He makes the drug world work,” she told the judge. “He is equivalent to what I consider somewhat of a genius that takes cocaine and molds them into shapes so that they can be moved in plain sight … I don’t feel bad at all today. In fact, this is a pleasure. And Mr. Anaya SAYS that he’s part of this big group of people that puts in compartments. He’s part of this secret society, I guess. Well, I hope he tells a friend, because we’re coming for them.”

The judge agreed with McCracken’s harsh assessment. He sentenced Anaya to 292 months in federal prison—more than 24 years—with no possibility of parole. Curtis Crow and Cesar Bonilla Montiel, the men at the top of the organization, received sentences half that length.

*twitch* *twitch* *twitch*

Jesus weeping Christ on the cross...SMMFH.

*sigh*

Do you ever feel like you could just weep, for the sheer impotency of not being able to scream a warning in people's faces?

When dealing with ANY asshole with a badge...

SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP!!!!!

*sigh*

This goes here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

[mac_hine]

So should all gun manufacturers/dealers be locked up and caged because guns are sometimes used to commit crimes?

[kcchiefs6465]

So should all gun manufacturers/dealers be locked up and caged because guns are sometimes used to commit crimes?
I wouldn't even ask them that question.

Might not like their answer.

[kcchiefs6465]

#33 can't really be stressed enough. He thought he knew the law, and indeed he was within the law with his profession, but that didn't matter one damn bit when they can twist your words and twist laws to their benefit. The only reason you should be speaking freely about any matter pertaining to your case to anyone remotely having anything to do with law enforcement is if you are a lawyer. And if you are a lawyer, I'd assume you'd know to shut the fuck up. Nothing good can come from it. There was a very good article here that I read that walked through the hypotheticals. I'll post if I come across it. I don't think I need to say that the hypothetical good of saying anything remotely to do with your case is far outweighed by the hypothetical chance they twist your words to be used against you.

[tangent4ronpaul]

I wrote the author indicating that I was still reading the article, but thought it was really good but long... he asked me to write back when I was finished and tell me what I thought of it. I did. Here is my response:

Hi Brendan,

that was an incredibly well researched and interesting article.

Concerning Alfred Anya's problems and appeal:

I assume you are still in touch with him and it sounds like you are on his side. Some suggestions:

Financial:
I bet Make Magazine would be interested in a couple of articles on 'electronic puzzle boxes' and 'Installing secret compartments in cars'.

Were he to write a pamphlet/book, I suspect someplace like Paladin Press or O'reilly and associates would be interested in publishing it. (Paladin wouldn't be the best choice per-appeal. Maybe a specialized LEO/PI mail order bookstore?).

He seems to have some serious talent, so he might try to pull a Frank W. Abagnale (of 'Catch Me if You Can' fame and get hired...)

He might send a resume over to: https://www.cia.gov/careers They seem to have a knack for laundering people...

He might try and work a deal where he would travel and give seminars to law enforcement on how traps work and how to recognize them. Hay, would they rather he be giving classes to cops or at the cross bar university?

He might try to get a transfer and arrange work release with someplace like http://hiddenpassageway.com/

check out the chess set in particular, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS5II_LavsQ

Appeal:

Yeah, the guy really got screwed! I would imagine that groups like EFF might be interested in coming to his aid, legally, based on the prosecuting hackers, geeks and tinkerers argument and what a horrid precedent this sets.

He seems to have some high profile and wealthy, legitimate, clients. If he could get some of these people to show up as witnesses or at least submit a notarized affidavit, that would go a long way. Actors, porn stars, wealthy clients, etc.

I'm not sure to what extent the term “traps” is associated with the legitimate automotive industry or to what extent it's a slang term more related to smuggling. “Automotive Safes” is a term that is definitely on the legitimate side. Tracking down companies in this line of work and getting them to be witnesses, send affidavit's or just point to their web sites / provide brochures. I am also certain some, if not all companies that armor normal vehicles for executive protection offer this service. In short, make clear that what he was involved with is a legitimate business. Might point to hidden passageways as a variant and contact companies that specialize in building safe rooms, like safecastle and others for legitimate uses of this technology. I am relatively certain the Secret Service also uses similar technology in their vehicles – at least the presidential limousines. Remember reading about these being tricked out and hiding things like medical kits, MP5's and other specialized equipment. Out of site and out of mind. I would imagine there are jewelers and business owners that carry large quantities of cash or jems. That makes them a legitimate security product. People like that are also awarded CCW's in states where it's near impossible to get a CCW. This is a natural extension of that.

The court cases of similar “trap” makers should also be looked up.

Concerning the smugglers:

WHAT IDIOTS! - their tradecraft was horrid! No cellular structure, no cut outs, sloppy communication practices. I'm amazed they lasted that long. Using a mule that knew what they were carrying and a drug user at that. Dealing with a guy that used his own product... WOW!

Hypothetically, were I to try something like that, I think I'd do something like:

Comm:
stenography, PGP encryption, using picture posting sites and foreign free, e-mail services and TOR.

Getting a trap installed:
Find someone down on their luck at a day labor place. Make sure they don't know your real name or where to find you, beyond a throw away phone. Clean them up and get them some nice clothes. Maybe print up some business cards for them. There are places that will send you 50 for free as a sample. Have a cover story and “pocket litter”... examples:

Represent being the personal assistant to some movie star and have a autographed photo of said star. Rational “vanity”.

Have a off road vehicle that you need to stash some equipment into, like camping/emergency gear, spare parts, etc. Provide the bags/kits for size and say you want it out of site and hidden so you don't get ripped off.

Have a high end stereo system that pulls out like a hot swap HD, to deter theft, but you need a in car “safe” to prevent theft...

The person is a bodyguard for a confidential client that might be a target or regularly transports high value cargo discreetly... like diamonds and precious metals...

endless variations...

Finding a mule:
Put ads up on college campuses around breaks and holidays (and ONLY transport when the roads will be packed!) something like:

Need a driver. I just got a new job and am relocating, but we need someone to drive one of our cars to our new state. You must have a good driving record, no criminal record and no history of drug use. (we will check!) The job pays $300 + a bus ticket if this city is not where you are trying to get to, OR $400 and my cousin will take you where you need to go in the destination city when you drop off the car. We will cover a per-diem for food, gas and lodging. Bring them to a house with a “for sale” sign in front of it for the car pickup.

There are also companies that drop off “PODS” for moving. You fill it up and put a lock on it. They deliver and drop off. And they don't get a key!

Those are the types of things I would do if I were doing this... (I'M NOT!!!)

Hope that helps!

-t

[Cleaner44]

Yep. And it will continue to be. The one thing on our side is the fiat money collapse you can see from miles away.





I agree. Every time I hear someone talking about avoiding jury duty, I go on an education spree, privately, or in public.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who think that trials protect the guilty. IMO, trials protect the innocent. My simple response to that (if anyone wants to use it) is "If they're so guilty that they don't need a trial, then it will be fast and cheap. Give them their trial and put them away."

I have jury duty coming up in a month and I am looking forward to it. I gladly await my opportunity to serve.

"There are four boxes to be used in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury and ammo. Please use in that order."

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

this is as stupid as charging a gun dealer for a crime committed with a gun he sold to someone legally

[mad cow]

this is as stupid as charging a gun dealer for a crime committed with a gun he sold to someone legally

This is as stupid as charging WalMart for selling a woman a purse she used to conceal a gun she used during a robbery.

[tod evans]

"Them".................................................. .............."Us"

Precedence is being set.

Lines are being drawn.