Dallas Theft Victim Helps ATF With Sting Operation
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:36 pm
http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_sto ... 20442.html
"Oct 12, 2006 10:04 pm US/Central
Dallas Theft Victim Helps ATF With Sting Operation
Jack Fink
Reporting
(CBS 11 News) DALLAS What risk would you take to catch criminals? A homeowner in Dallas' Preston Hollow neighborhood took action after two thieves stole his semi-automatic rifle and silencer.
Last January, thieves broke into Paul Winters' SUV parked outside his house. When the weapons were taken it was a surprise, but Winters never expected what happened next.
The thieves, Juan Benitez and Eric Navarro, returned the next night and rang the doorbell.
"They said, “We know you rob banks and knock off ATM’s, and we want in on some of the action,� Winters said.
Winters is no criminal. He carries the rifle for protection with his ATM business.
Winters told his wife to call the authorities, but instead of letting officers handle it, he played along. “They said we'll do anything. We'll rob, steal, kill, whatever. We're here to help you."
The type of men he was dealing with wasn’t Winters only worry. You see, his wife was eight and a half months pregnant at the time.
Even though his wife was weeks away from giving birth, Winters helped the ATF set up a sting operation.
On an ATF videotape, from last March, Benitez tells an undercover agent that he was prepared to wrap people in duct tape when robbing a drug house. One night later, Benitez allegedly shot and killed a man outside a Dallas night club.
The ATF says court tests proved the gun used in that crime was tied to five other Dallas area shootings.
After being charged with murder, Benitez was soon back out on the street. Federal prosecutors then filed a gun charge against Benitez and Navarro.
Benitez was able to bond out of jail with just $25,000 cash, but a federal judge held him on the gun charge because he felt the man was a danger to the community.
Benitez and Navarro pleaded guilty to possessing the silencer without it being registered to them and both received prison sentences of nearly five years.
CBS 11 News was there as their families walked out of the courtroom, but they declined comment.
Their attorneys blame drugs. "He had acquired the habit of making meth and unfortunately, this young man may have fallen into the same situation as a lot of young men here at that age," said John Hardin, Navarro's attorney.
Benitez’s attorney, E.E. Taylor, said, “In this day and age, I think you're finding more and more youth getting involved in this drug scene."
The undercover ATF agent credit Winters for helping crack the case.
“He was willing to put himself in harm's way to get these guys into custody," said ATF Special Agent, Kenneth Benton.
Federal prosecutors say Winters' involvement was extraordinary. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Sam Cantrell, said, “I think he was brave... maybe a little crazy. I don't know, but certainly he realized there was an opportunity to apprehend these guys."
(CBS 11 News)"
"Oct 12, 2006 10:04 pm US/Central
Dallas Theft Victim Helps ATF With Sting Operation
Jack Fink
Reporting
(CBS 11 News) DALLAS What risk would you take to catch criminals? A homeowner in Dallas' Preston Hollow neighborhood took action after two thieves stole his semi-automatic rifle and silencer.
Last January, thieves broke into Paul Winters' SUV parked outside his house. When the weapons were taken it was a surprise, but Winters never expected what happened next.
The thieves, Juan Benitez and Eric Navarro, returned the next night and rang the doorbell.
"They said, “We know you rob banks and knock off ATM’s, and we want in on some of the action,� Winters said.
Winters is no criminal. He carries the rifle for protection with his ATM business.
Winters told his wife to call the authorities, but instead of letting officers handle it, he played along. “They said we'll do anything. We'll rob, steal, kill, whatever. We're here to help you."
The type of men he was dealing with wasn’t Winters only worry. You see, his wife was eight and a half months pregnant at the time.
Even though his wife was weeks away from giving birth, Winters helped the ATF set up a sting operation.
On an ATF videotape, from last March, Benitez tells an undercover agent that he was prepared to wrap people in duct tape when robbing a drug house. One night later, Benitez allegedly shot and killed a man outside a Dallas night club.
The ATF says court tests proved the gun used in that crime was tied to five other Dallas area shootings.
After being charged with murder, Benitez was soon back out on the street. Federal prosecutors then filed a gun charge against Benitez and Navarro.
Benitez was able to bond out of jail with just $25,000 cash, but a federal judge held him on the gun charge because he felt the man was a danger to the community.
Benitez and Navarro pleaded guilty to possessing the silencer without it being registered to them and both received prison sentences of nearly five years.
CBS 11 News was there as their families walked out of the courtroom, but they declined comment.
Their attorneys blame drugs. "He had acquired the habit of making meth and unfortunately, this young man may have fallen into the same situation as a lot of young men here at that age," said John Hardin, Navarro's attorney.
Benitez’s attorney, E.E. Taylor, said, “In this day and age, I think you're finding more and more youth getting involved in this drug scene."
The undercover ATF agent credit Winters for helping crack the case.
“He was willing to put himself in harm's way to get these guys into custody," said ATF Special Agent, Kenneth Benton.
Federal prosecutors say Winters' involvement was extraordinary. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Sam Cantrell, said, “I think he was brave... maybe a little crazy. I don't know, but certainly he realized there was an opportunity to apprehend these guys."
(CBS 11 News)"
