Debbie Schlussel: "Miami vICE": More Undercover Agents Jeopardized by "Miami Vice"/ICE
In our ongoing coverage of "Miami Vice", we reported how Miami Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent in Charge Jesus Torres 1) jeopardized undercover agents and their classified techniques and methods by giving them away to "Miami Vice" stars and filmmakers (who then used them in the movie); and 2) allegedly allowed his senior agents to use tax-paid sick days to act in the movie.
More worrisome information about the extent to which Miami ICE Special Agent in Charge Torres jeopardizes agents lives and identities and wasted taxpayer time and money hanging with "Miami Vice" star Colin Farrell and showing him ICE ops:
Not only was Colin Farrell briefed on undercover (U/C) operations, Torres convened a full scale Undercover Operatives School and held it in Miami. Torres did this on behalf of Director Michael Mann and Mann's request to indoctrinate Farrell to undercover roles. Actual ICE agents participated in the class to get certified in U/C operations. These were the actual agents who will put their lives on the line in a u/c capacity, and they have been exposed to Farrell. Torres was able to hold the class, as most of the ICE Academy U/C instructors are stationed in Miami.The instructor agents go up to the Academy on a TDY [Temporary Duty] status to teach when the classes are run (maybe 2-3 times per year depending on funding).
Following the class "graduation" for which Torres presented a plaque to Farrell, Torres set up a mock u/c deal utilizing CBP Air and Marine Division vessels. This was for Farrell's benefit. I won't begin to estimate the cost for CBP salaries, and vessel fuel. This does not count time lost from doing the actual job and tying up CBP vessels.
After this mock u/c event, Michael Mann asked Torres to "set up" Farrell on another u/c deal in which the actor would be led to believe the event was real. This was the event staged at one of the u/c proprietaries set up by the SAC Miami, that is used as an actual undercover location.
A film crew was secreted in the u/c office "observation room" to film
Farrell. The event was in fact staged and Farrell was led to believe that the event was real. Torres, acting in a u/c role was with Farrell. Alonso, acting as a drug dealer also participated. Several other agents participated as well. Torres "pretended" to get into an arguement with Alonso leading to the scenario that the event almost broke out in gunfire. Torres "calmed" everyone down and the u/c "deal" was consumated.Farrell was let in on the "set up" several days later. Michael Mann
wanted him to experience what it may be like to participate in a real
event. Jamie Fox was not in Miami at this time as he was shooting a different movie at the time.Torres and Mann had struck up a relationship prior to "Miami Vice." Torres was to be a paid consultant/actor on "Miami Vice" however ICE HQ was not happy with this and sent Torres on a 60 day TDY [Temporary Duty] to El Paso during the height of filming, thereby effectively cutting Torres from potential on screen time.
Debbie, I'm glad you got this story. I was very upset that such deference was given to an actor, any actor, which in effect compromised real agents and tactics.
We should all be upset about this. Unfortunately, those who should be most upset--the top brass at ICE, including The ICE Princess, Julie L. Myers, don't seem to be. Your tax dollars at "work."
Yet another reason why they should be broomed out. Time to clean house at ICE.
Posted by Debbie on August 4, 2006 07:55 AM to Debbie Schlussel