TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gang Case Witness To Testify More

ADVERTISEMENT

By THOMAS W. KRAUSE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

TAMPA - After more than 20 hours of testimony over four days, a defense attorney has not yet completed her questioning of prosecutors' key witness in the Latin Kings street gang case.

On Nov. 8 and 9, Lyann Goudie began questioning Luis "Danny" Agosto, 30, about his work as a confidential informant for Tampa police and the FBI. When she hadn't completed her questions, Circuit Judge Daniel Sleet adjourned the hearing and reconvened Thursday.

By close of business Friday, however, Goudie still had not finished. Prosecutors have not yet begun cross-examination of Agosto.
Sleet set tentative dates for resuming the hearing on Jan. 10 and 11.

In October, Goudie filed a 114-page court document asking the judge to drop charges against the Latin King defendants.

Under Goudie's questions, Agosto has acknowledged that he was paid between $2,400 and $3,600 per month to act as an informant. When prosecution is complete, he said, he has been promised a $100,000 bonus. Agosto testified that he has been convicted of as many as 13 felonies in his life. Goudie contends that Agosto continued to commit crimes even while working as an informant.

Detectives had Agosto, a Latin King member, lure other members to a regional gang meeting in Tampa. Members were threatened with violence if they did not show, Goudie contends. Officers with six law enforcement agencies raided the meeting and arrested 39 members, charging them with racketeering.

It is unclear when the judge will rule on Goudie's request to drop charges.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT