The Last Undercover (35 page)
The Los Angeles and San Diego offices of the Bureau were still determining how to handle the prosecution of the case. My San Diego case agent and I met with Assistant United States Attorney Anne Perry, and we were awaiting a decision by her office as to whether they would prosecute. The San Diego U.S. Attorney’s office had only done a limited number of travel cases, and even though Anne was extremely eager to prosecute, her bosses expressed some reluctance in assuming the prosecutorial lead. Los Angeles, on the other hand, regularly prosecuted travel cases and was fully supportive of our efforts. It was another administrative issue I was hoping to avoid. I was the undercover agent in three separate operations—one with national security implications—and had little time or patience for bureau-cratic haggling. In fact, by now you may have figured out that even if I had only one case I was working on alternate weekends, administrative procedures would not be high on my priority list.
As I was awaiting a prosecutorial decision, I was trying to coordinate Todd and David’s commitment to fly into either Los Angeles or San Diego. Todd had already made reservations to fly into L.A. The boat would supposedly leave Los Angeles for a four-hour journey, making a stop in San Diego, prior to heading for the ultimate destination at Ensenada, three hours south of San Diego. I convinced him the shortened travel time on the boat made San Diego the preferred launching spot, and Todd agreed to change his reservation to San Diego. David said he could use his connections to get us reservations at a Hilton Hotel the night before the scheduled departure.
Everything was falling into place. The trip had developed into a team effort, with each of us accepting certain responsibilities. A conspiracy completely orchestrated by the undercover agent may result in a legal collar, but it always gives rise to defense arguments that the client was entrapped, coerced, or an unwilling participant in a government sting operation that smacked of “gross governmental misconduct.” So far, Todd and David were willing and equal partners in our travel-for-sex conspiracy, and that was just the way I wanted it.
SWARMING TO THE BAIT
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AMBLA prided itself on maintaining the privacy of its membership list. Even the letter praising my “courageous step” for joining the organization stated, “Be assured that our records are confidential and will not be released to anyone.” Neither David nor Todd had Steve Irvin’s contact information. Steve and I had not exchanged e-mail addresses or phone numbers while in Miami. On December 20, I took a long shot at trying to obtain the information from Peter Herman. Although, I had not sent Christmas cards nor had Steve Irvin agreed to help on the privacy pamphlet project, I e-mailed Peter the following:
Peter,
Hope your holidays are going well. I sent my cards out and hope they are received in the spirit they were sent. It always saddens me to know that so many of our brothers are there because of archaic beliefs. Someday society will be enlightened.
At the conference, Steve from Pittsburgh offered to help me with the privacy pamphlet and I lost his email address. I know you don’t like to give those out but could you either give me his address or give him mine. I’d really like to connect with him so we could finish up this project.
Peter took the bait and two days later responded with Steve’s e-mail address, a major coup.
David reported on his promise to attempt to call Paul with a December 20 e-mail. It was really pretty humorous.
Howdy from the Frozen Tundra of the Upper Midwest!
Not sure if I should laugh or cry over my attempt to speak to Paul. Hope this translates onto paper. I called shortly after 6:00 pm EST & got his father (he identified himself as his father—this is an important point). I of course asked for Paul & was told he was not home but to call back later that “afternoon.” I pointed out that it was already after 6:00 pm & could he be more specific when to reach Paul. He finally stated that I should call back in 90 minutes. He then asked me who I was & I identified myself as Dr. Mayer. “Father” then asked what kind of doctor I was, stating that Paul was not under a doctor’s care. I stated it was confidential & would not discuss the matter. We went through that scenario two times. Not pretty. I was able to intimidate him & he took my # stating he would have Paul call me as soon as he got home. End of Part One. Part Two:
In less than ten minutes my cell phone rang with caller ID showing the number in Florida. “Yeah!” I thought to myself . . . wrong! MUMSIE calling. This nasty woman starts screaming at me that “my husband Paul has been dead for two years” & why am I calling! I must admit that she threw me for a second, however I made a rapid recovery . . . in between her screaming at me I asked why “Father” stated he (Paul) would be home in 90 minutes, etc. That shut her up for three seconds . . . then she started asking what kind of doctor I am, etc. I again stated that it was confidential; she then screamed at me that her husband is dead & don’t ever call again. CLICK. End of Part Two.
Either of you care to place a bet if Paul got the message? I am fearful that Mums is making his life miserable over the calls. However, there must be some way to rescue this guy. Daddy—how about the same technique for Paul as for Pittsburgh? Can you ask Sam for help? By the way, you can tell Sam that Peter’s email address is on the web site. I think Paul should go live with Daddy on his estate; I am sure you must have a spare bungalow on the property. Maybe he can be the pool boy?
Not a problem for me to mail you a check. Just let me know the amount. I will also need full name, address, etc. (aren’t we just getting intimate!). By the way, as of today’s mail I still have not heard a word from [the undercover travel agency].
Daddy—another project for you. Could you go to the Hilton Hotel web site (which will also include all other property such as DoubleTree, Hampton Inns, etc) & let me know which hotel we want for the one night—I do not know SD © all. Did not know if we wanted to stay © airport, in the city, by the water, etc. Select the hotel & I will make the arrangements.
Nothing else to report © this time. If by some miracle Paul calls I will call both of you. Don’t hold your breath! Also, if Paul does call, do you want me to give him both of your #’s or just have me be the contact?
Speak to you both next Monday evening if not sooner. Merry Christmas.
On December 27 David e-mailed to say he had still not heard from the undercover travel agency. He also asked, “Daddy, any word from any of the others: The First Lady? Kathy Bates’ son, Paul? David of Miami (could you send me his e-mail? I will also try to convince him to join us). How is the hotel search going?”
When I checked my undercover post office box later in the day, I was pleased to find a letter from David containing one more nail for his coffin: a personal check in the amount of $620.
Todd set up another three-way conversation that evening, a call that would continue to bury David and Todd in the criminal conspiracy. Todd spoke of his desire to bring the “boys” back with him. David finally received the application from the undercover travel agency and would forward the completed application to me. He also would make reservations for us to stay at the San Diego Airport Hilton on February 11, the night before our maiden voyage.
As we discussed other potential travelers, David referred to David R. Busby as a “slut,” but that apparently didn’t preclude him from being invited. David said he would contact Steve Irvin. And as if Mexico were not enough, Todd and David initiated plans for a Costa Rica trip after Ensenada. They also wanted me to ask “Sean,” the name I made up for my imaginary friend, what gifts and trinkets they should bring the boys to insure appropriate sexual favors.
Todd and I spoke briefly on December 28. Most noteworthy was the fact he said Steve Irvin approached them at Miami about going on a trip. I was unaware of that fact and was glad Steve followed up on my suggestion during our brief encounter at the conference. When I asked Todd if he knew of men other than those who were in Miami that might interested, he reiterated the mantra of NAMBLA: “I don’t know anybody of like mind but know that there are plenty of us out there. . . . It’s not like you can put a sign on the front yard: ‘Hey, all BLs, call me up. Let’s go on a trip.’”
On December 30, David e-mailed me to say he was leaving that evening for Frankfurt, Germany, and had e-mailed David R. Busby and Steve Irvin. His December 27 e-mail to Steve was brief and somewhat circumspect.
Just a quick reminder that we met in Miami a couple of months ago © a conference. You asked me to let you know if I was planning on any holidays. Three of us from the conference are planning a trip to Mexico in February. You are more than welcome to join us—it will be for four days. If you are interested, let me know; I can give you more details. Cost is around $620.00 including lodging and meals.
Steve responded to David’s e-mail a few days later.
Sure I remember you. Yes, I would definitely be interested. Thanks for asking. I really didn’t get a chance to visit a lot when we were at the conference. I guess I should have just taken a day off work, and not rushed my trip. . . . I start my sabbatical from work in February. . . . Anyhow, thanks again, David, for asking. Since I didn’t really talk a lot to anyone I thought maybe you wouldn’t write. I’m just overall pretty quiet. Smiled when I got the email!
David forwarded me Steve’s response, and we began preparation for another traveler. Steve’s primary concern was the cost of airfare. Since we had set up the boat trip to begin in L.A. with a stopover in San Diego, it provided a perfect alternative. It allowed the travelers to choose their departing locale. Since flights into LAX were generally less expensive than those into San Diego, each could travel to either city. By providing a choice, it may have also minimized any suspicions that this was a sting. From an evidentiary standpoint, it also added a free-will element to the decision each traveler made.
The same day I received David’s e-mail with Steve’s forward attached, I e-mailed Steve, setting out the details of the trip and providing my undercover cell phone number, suggesting we speak over the phone rather than trade e-mails. Steve responded with his cell number and a home number, setting in motion our next traveler: the special education teacher from Pittsburgh.
Steve’s e-mail provided valuable evidence for predisposition. The e-mail confirmed what he told me at the conference and what the FBI suspected was happening at these gatherings: Steve had traveled previously and arranged that travel through a contact at the NAMBLA conference.
I’ll call you later today. I just keep smiling! Really looking forward to the trip. Went to Santo Domingo several years ago with someone from the conference and had a great time. One of the best times of my life. I looked on the computer under cheaptickets and found flights to San Diego for $250. Smile! When I talk to you, we can discuss sending the $620. I am so happy I was invited along. I was quiet at the conference and then the way I planned the trip it was pretty fast. Didn’t really get to know anyone very well, but thank you!
In the morning, on New Year’s Eve, Steve called me and left a voice mail message. That afternoon, I returned the call. My contact with Steve at the conference had been minimal. I remembered him as tall, thin, quiet, and in his mid-forties. On the phone, he displayed a gentle nature I’m sure made him well suited to teach special education. He reminded me of Sam Lindblad, who also taught special education prior to his conviction. Did both these men have a genuine love for mentally, physically, and emotionally handicapped children, or were these youngsters just easier to manipulate and victimize?
Steve last attended a NAMBLA conference in 1988, where he met Bob Rhodes. Rhodes’s name was known to me, having been featured in the movie
Chicken Hawk
and on several Web sites discussing NAMBLA. He was also named in the Jeffrey Curley wrongful death civil lawsuit. A rotund individual, I thought of Rhodes as a “central casting” pedophile; he looked like someone you’d want to keep an eye on, should he show up at a park or playground. I didn’t remember Steve in that way. Steve said he and Rhodes went to Santo Domingo and had a “great time . . . at a bed and breakfast . . . and got boys there.” Steve’s experiences sounded similar to those shared by David. Steve had already checked into airline prices and was “definitely interested” in traveling with “like-minded people.” Again, in the almost providential way this case was coming together, Steve was to begin a one-year sabbatical from his teaching responsibilities in February. Had Todd, David, and I chosen a January weekend, Steve would have been unable to join us.
Steve had been a member of NAMBLA for many years but had not been active recently. He marched at Stonewall and attended conferences in the mid-eighties. He also spoke of his hatred for George W. Bush and “Ashcroft cronies.” I didn’t ask, but I assume he did not think highly of the FBI, either. Steve said he had been inactive in NAMBLA and had only recently communicated again with Peter Herman, who encouraged him to “not live your life in fear.” Thanks to Peter’s encouragement and invitation, Steve decided to attend the Miami conference.
Although his age of preference was “around fourteen,” he described himself as “very versatile” and that he did “different things with different people . . . very easily pleased. . . . Of course, I love good sex, but I’m not very demanding.”
Steve admitted to coming to the Miami conference with the idea of finding someone with whom to travel and told me he approached David when he learned David might be putting something together. Another tally mark in the “NAMBLA networking” column.
He was open on the phone, but I was reluctant to push too hard. He said teaching provided the benefits of being near boys and that many boys came on to him. He denied having any “special friend” at the time we were talking. When I provided him with the Web site information about the travel agency, he promised to send his deposit to reserve a spot. “I am really looking forward to the trip and have a smile on my face.”