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Gang Informant Avoids Prison Time

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By THOMAS W. KRAUSE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

TAMPA - A confidential informant, paid $2,400 per month by the FBI while helping to gather information on the Latin Kings street gang, will not serve time in prison for violating his probation, a judge decided Wednesday.

Danny "Luis" Agosto violated probation by racking up several traffic violations, including a misdemeanor charge in Osceola County for illegally driving a vehicle equipped with police lights.

Agosto has been on probation since 2006 after pleading guilty to grand theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to probation, rather than prison, because he offered to work with law enforcement, informing on the gang.

He also was given a rent-free apartment, a cell phone, money for living expenses and the promise of a $100,000 bonus upon conviction of Latin Kings members.

Wednesday, Agosto acknowledged the traffic violations. Circuit Judge Daniel Perry said Agosto could return to probation rather than go to prison.

On April 7, Circuit Judge Daniel Sleet threw out charges against 23 defendants in a case against the Latin Kings, saying Agosto forced them to attend a gang meeting where they were arrested. Sleet also said Agosto continued to commit crimes while working for law enforcement.

The day after Sleet threw out the charges, a probation officer issued a violation of probation warrant for Agosto's arrest.

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

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