The Role of Informants in Colorado Federal Cases

The Role of Informants in Colorado Federal Cases

Informants play a big role in lots of federal cases in Colorado. They give inside info to the feds that would be impossible to get any other way. But using informants also comes with risks. This article looks at how informants work, the pros and cons, and some real cases.

What is an Informant?

An informant is someone who gives information about criminal activity to the police in exchange for money, getting charges dropped, or other benefits [1]. They are sometimes called “snitches.” A cooperating witness is similar – someone involved in a crime who agrees to snitch on others to get a plea deal or something from prosecutors [4].

Informants give info to federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, and ATF to help investigate and prosecute federal crimes. The info they provide would be almost impossible to get any other way [4]. But using informants also comes with risks.

The Pros of Using Informants

There are good reasons law enforcement uses informants:

• Informants provide inside information impossible to get otherwise
• Many major federal cases rely at least partly on informants
• Informants can provide evidence to convict dangerous criminals
• Rewards motivate informants to cooperate

The FBI says many of its successes come from informants. Their identities usually stay secret so the public doesn’t know their full role [2].

The Cons of Using Informants

But there are also risks with using informants:

• Informants sometimes commit unauthorized crimes
• Informants might lie or plant evidence to get rewards
• Law enforcement might cut corners handling informants
• The government can get sued over informant conduct

There are plenty of past examples of agents breaking rules or informants causing problems. Like informants committing crimes they weren’t authorized for. Or informants later claiming they were mistreated and suing the government [2].

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FBI Informant Rules

After problems in the past, the FBI added guidelines for using informants:

• Weigh risks of illegal activity or due process violations
• Can’t threaten potential informants
• Explain why an informant is needed
• Get supervisor approval

But critics say the rules still allow too much. Agents might still use informants in ways that are unfair or unsafe [4].

Real Colorado Cases Using Informants

Here are some real federal cases in Colorado that used informants:

Operation Goldmine

This was an FBI sting in 2015-2016 that used informants to build a case against a motorcycle gang called the Iron Order. Informants secretly recorded conversations that led to weapons and drug charges .

MS-13 Bust

In 2021, the FBI used an informant to help arrest a dozen alleged MS-13 gang members in Denver. The informant infiltrated the gang and wore a wire to get evidence .

Operation Gold Dust

The DEA led this operation in 2015 that used informants to expose a big cocaine ring in Colorado. Informants arranged meetings and calls to get evidence on dealers. Over 30 people were charged .

The Risks of Being an Informant

If you agree to be an informant, you need to consider the risks:

• You could be in danger from criminals you inform on
• The police might not protect your identity
• You have to follow the law and agency guidelines
• Your info has to lead to convictions or you might not get rewards

Police in Colorado have mistakenly revealed informant identities before. And informants don’t always get the deals they were promised [3]. It’s a risky move to become an informant.

Conclusion

Informants are a key tool used by federal agencies in Colorado. They provide inside information to build cases, but also come with risks like unauthorized crimes. If you consider being an informant yourself, you need to weigh the pros and cons carefully. But informants will keep playing a big role in federal cases in the state.

References

[1] https://www.colorado-drug-crimes-lawyer.com/colorado-criminal-drug-cases-law-and-tactics/colorado-criminal-law-guide-the-use-of-informants-cis-in-colorado-drug-crime-cases
[2] https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0509/chapter3.htm
[3] https://www.colorado-drug-crimes-lawyer.com/in-colorado-when-you-agree-to-be-an-informant-you-must-consider-the-decision-carefully
[4] https://www.federallawyers.com/criminal-defense/the-use-of-informants-and-cooperating-witnesses-in-federal-cases/
[5] https://www.denverpost.com/2015/04/17/how-police-reliance-on-confidential-informants-in-colorado-carries-risk/
[6] https://www.aclu.org/documents/denver-police-department-operations-manual-confidential-informants
https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/08/iron-order-motorcycle-gang-members-face-federal-charges/
https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/fbi-arrests-alleged-ms-13-gang-members-in-metro-denver/73-d4e6e3e9-b6e4-4e1c-a8d6-d7df0d865bbd
https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/thirty-two-individuals-indicted-one-largest-cocaine-distribution-rings-dismantled-colorado