REESE TRIAL – US DOJ – BATFE Expert Haggerty testifies

Paul Haggerty, Senior Special Agent with US Department of Justice BATFE, works in strategic intelligence. He has 37 years of law enforcement under his belt, in various agencies including 3-4 years in strategic intelligence. He has trained many persons, from Judges & Prosecutors, to Mexican Officials, from the Attorney General on down and back up to the US Ambassador. He is a court certified expert in weapons in Mexico.

“Our” (I’m not sure who the “our” was referring to) expertise is mostly on firearms and explosives. If there is a major shootout they respond to the scene. They get backlogged so since 2008 he has had to up the threshold of the number of persons killed or firearms on the scene before they get involved.

He has worked undercover, understands firearms trafficking and has insight as to arms traffickers He has infiltrated the cartel and knows their business practices. This has provided him with intel and insight.

In response to a question, he chuckled, and stated he has trained many, including the Supreme Court and the Attorney General, police academy, DHS Customs & Border Patrol, other agencies, and 300-400 “en Mejico” including cabinet ministers.

The government tendered his resume as an expert in the field of ATF operations, including paragraphs 1-14 in the indictment, specifically drugs cartels and ATF regulations, firearms trafficking and export license.

Haggerty testified he is familiar with Mexican cartels and worked as an undercover capacity, had meals with them, socialized with them, did business with them to determine conspiracy and methods used. He stated they have murdered 100s of civilians, and continue to do this now.

When one is arrested, another takes over the role. He has developed knowledge of the drug cartels.

He stated the cartels are a true multi-billion dollar business, with money laundering, stolen cars, smuggling, murder, counterfeiting. Overall the Cartel structure is a business enterprise. It is a business enterprise structured for power via intimidation and violence for profits.

He explained the drug trade is very profitable. (NOTE: It sounded like he stated, “I’m supplying the guns, he supplying the drugs.” Transcripts need to be checked for accuracy.) He has a good relationship. They have good quality cocaine, and when sold in San Diego the price doubles, and if further north price can quadruple. He stated the cartel’s security force has been paid $6.5 million.

He explained there is a large volume of marijuana trade, and the larger the volume the more profitable. He described pick up trucks with false compartments to load guns are returned to Mexico, and then Marijuana returns to the US.

He described how the excess cash profits generated in the US from drug sales are used to purchase weapons, ammo, and other tangibles which are smuggled or taken back to Mexico.

He explained how firearms are the exclusive jurisdiction under their Article 83. and the types of offenses for certain weapons. Only the military can use certain types of weapons.

He was asked if he has seen many 50 caliber weapons in Mexco, and he replied unfortuantely many times. The defense objected to the way he answered this question, and the judge agreed.

Mr. Haggerty’s testimony dragged on at length, describing various weapons and ammunition that is prohibited in Mexico, which weapons and ammo are popular with the cartel, and that the cartel desires weapons because they shoot at each over territory wars.

Mr. Haggerty stated the most common source of weapons comes from the US using straw purchasers, however, sometimes they raid police stations in Mexico, or grab guns from decease law enforcement or military. But, he reiterated that most guns are purchased in the US. They use straw purchasers as a method to acquire firearms.

The lawyers all approached the Judge’s bench and after about a five minute conference, Haggerty’s testimony continued.

Haggerty described how firearms being purchased with straw purchasers, at the store the straw purchaser uses their photo ID, claims the purchase is for their personal use, and knows the money will be reimbursed or provided ahead of time for a specific weapon. He explained often the real purchaser doesn’t want to be on a frequent purchaser list, or is a prohibited person in his experience.

The cartel enterprise has different levels. There is a leader, then senior partners that run the organization, then one Lieutenant per territory, or assigned to a special assignment, such as the kidnapping department or the drug department, then below that are the soldiers, which he explained are the assassins, and below them other people – people who are full time partners who build false compartments for smuggling, or acquire firearms. Below them are the grunts.

When asked who would the cartel use as a straw purchaser, he replied there are two groups. Full time cartel members who have that job as a full time assignment, or a temporary person who is given a large or small bonus for buying weapons and bringing them back to the real purchaser.

The government’s expert witness, Mr. Haggerty, was not cross examined by any of the defense attorneys.

General Comment: Those of us in the peanut gallery were wondering why this witness was brought into the trial. He testified about a lot of things going on in Mexico, but it didn’t seem to the peanut gallery that any testimony relating to any evidence in this case against the Reeses was discussed. Although we did learn by accident that Roman would be only one step above a low level grunt according to the hierarchy described. Agent Valles had already testified about straw purchasers and reviewed the guidelines for FFLs.

I think the defense missed an opportunity to discredit the ATF here. Agent Harrerty seems to be pushing the discredited "most cartel weapons come from straw purchasers" line.

If I were the defense attorney, I would have cross examined and asked how many weapons the Mexican government confiscated, and how many were traced to the U.S.

I would have asked what the most common type of weapon traced to the U.S. was (probably a shot gun or .22 rifle).

I would have asked what the average "time to crime" of a traced firearm was for Mexico (about 13 years).

But, I am not on the defense team, so perhaps they have a different strategy than discrediting the ATF.

Yep, the “expert witness” is covering for Obozo.

Of course the statement:

“But, he reiterated that most guns are purchased in the US.”

Is a total lie and he knows it.

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