Opinion ID: 2793225
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Defendants’ Post-Arrest Statements

Text: Following their arrests, some of the defendants spoke to each other in recorded conversations in police vehicles. Defendants Boria and Lewis said that the police did not have anything on them except for guns and that it was a good thing they were not arrested after entering the stash house and handcuffing people. Defendant Rivera-Otero and a group member named Ramirez also stated that the police did not have anything on them and discussed a plan to say that their police clothing was for Halloween. The two also discussed claiming that Zayas directed them to wear the police clothing. Several of the defendants also spoke to agents after waiving their Miranda rights. Defendant Carabali-Diaz admitted that the group had planned to steal thirty-seven kilograms of cocaine, put the drugs in a trash bag (which he was holding when arrested), and divide the thirty kilograms that did not go to Zayas. He also said that firearms were going to be used and that everyone had a gun. Defendant Boria, who was still wearing police clothing during his post-arrest interview, admitted to the robbery plan, to having a gun, and to planning to sell the cocaine on the street. Defendant Rivera-Otero claimed that he had police clothing for Halloween and that he put it on because his friend told him to, although he (Rivera-Otero) did not know why. Defendant Lewis initially suggested that he knew little about the robbery plan but then acknowledged that the plan was to go into a stash house, “arrest” people using firearms and flexible handcuffs, and steal cocaine. Lewis said he was to be the getaway driver and expected to receive $10,000. 7 Case: 13-20208 Document: 00513002219 Page: 8 Date Filed: 04/13/2015 No. 13-20208