Fact Check: Hernández's Cooperation with the DEA Ended After He Threatened Informants
What We Know
Jorge Hernández, a former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) informant, was charged with extorting cocaine traffickers and threatening to expose informants unless they paid him to keep quiet. According to a report by the Associated Press, Hernández's cooperation with the DEA was terminated in 2008 after authorities discovered that he had threatened to reveal the identities of informants. This information is corroborated by court records that indicate Hernández was involved in a scheme to extort payments from drug traffickers by falsely claiming he could secure lighter sentences for them in exchange for money (CBS News).
Hernández had a long history with the DEA, having been a prolific informant since 2000, but his actions led to the end of his cooperation agreement. Following the termination, he maintained contact with some DEA agents and was later implicated in various criminal activities, including a bribery trial involving former DEA supervisors (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Hernández's cooperation with the DEA ended after he threatened informants is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press and CBS News both detail the circumstances surrounding the termination of his cooperation agreement, specifically highlighting the threats he made against other informants. These reports are based on official court documents and statements from law enforcement, which lend credibility to their accounts.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of investigative journalism. The information provided is consistent across different reports, reinforcing the validity of the claim. Additionally, the details surrounding Hernández's criminal activities post-termination further illustrate the severity of his actions and the rationale behind the DEA's decision to cut ties with him.
However, it is important to note that while Hernández was initially a valuable informant, his subsequent actions—threatening other informants and engaging in extortion—paint a complex picture of his character and reliability. This duality is common in cases involving informants, where initial cooperation can lead to later misconduct.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Hernández's cooperation with the DEA ended after he threatened informants is substantiated by credible sources and official court records. The evidence clearly indicates that his threats were a significant factor in the DEA's decision to terminate their agreement with him.
Sources
- Longtime DEA informant charged in alleged scheme to extort high-level ... AP News
- Report on the Drug Enforcement Administration Foreign ... DEA
- 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment Summary DEA
- Role of Confidential Informants - Special Report Justice.gov
- Criminal Informants Are the Real Winners in the DEA's ... OJP.gov
- Shadowy snitch takes starring role in bribery trial of veteran DEA ... AP News
- 30 Best Accelerated Degree Programs Online Fast Track Guide
- DEA informant accused of trying to extort high-level cocaine ... CBS News
