Opinion ID: 794725
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Focus on Riley

Text: 2 In March 2004, DEA agents executed a search warrant at an apartment in Essex, Vermont. They seized evidence, arrested three men—not including Riley—and learned that Riley had been involved in the sale of drugs from that apartment. Riley, however, quickly learned of the raid and avoided immediate arrest by fleeing to Florida with, among others, his girlfriend Jennifer Johnson. Riley and Johnson remained in Florida for several weeks, returning in May. 3 Following his return, Riley obtained an M-1 assault rifle and had its barrel and stock shortened by Travis Guy, one of his narcotics customers. In exchange, Riley gave Guy several grams of crack cocaine. Thereafter, Guy gave Riley a Remington rifle in payment of a past-due debt for a prior crack purchase. 4 In mid-May, DEA agents were informed that Riley, after his return to Vermont, accosted the confidential informant (CI) who had cooperated in their initial investigation, accusing the CI of ratting on Riley and his associates, and that one of Riley's companions assaulted the CI. A CI also informed DEA agents of hearing conversations in which Riley threatened to harm two persons for talking to the police; in connection with one of those conversations, Riley carried a handgun. The government filed a criminal information charging Riley with retaliation against a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1513(b)(2), and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Riley was not located, however, for several weeks. 5 In mid-June, the DEA learned that Riley was staying at a Budget Inn motel in Barre, Vermont, registered under the name Jamal Watson, and was driving a blue Volvo station wagon. On June 16, they spotted Riley's car and began to follow it. The car was being driven by Johnson, who noticed the trailing authorities and alerted Riley. Riley initially did not believe her; but after Johnson took a few turns down side roads, Riley left the car and fled into the woods. He was apprehended later that day. Riley told the officers his name was Jamal Watson, and he was soon indicted for making that false statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001.