INDEX OF FIGURES AND TABLES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Background
- The Methodology of the OIG Investigation
- Planning the Operation
- Historical Background Regarding Ojeda and the Macheteros
- The FBI Locates Ojeda in Hormigueros
- Deployment of the Hostage Rescue Team
- The Surveillance and Arrest Plans
- The Role of the Police of Puerto Rico
- Chronology of Events in the Operation
- Events on September 22
- Overnight Events on September 22-23
- Plan for a Pre-dawn Arrest Operation on September 24
- The Compromise of the Sniper-Observers
- Transportation to the Target
- The Assault on the Ojeda Residence
- Events Following the Exchange of Gunfire
- Ojeda Struck by a Shot from the Perimeter
- The Decision Not to Enter the House on September 23
- Notification of the Puerto Rico Department of Justice
- Entry of the House on September 24
- Findings of the Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences
- Findings on the Scene
- Autopsy
- Bullet and Shell Casing Examinations
- Trajectory Analysis
- Shooting Reconstruction
- Blood Patterns
- Compliance with the Deadly Force Policy
- Assessment of the Initial Exchange of Gunfire
- Assessment of the Perimeter Shots
- Assessment of the Decision to Conduct an Emergency Daylight Assault
- Foreseeable Risks from a Daylight Assault
- The Surround and Call-out Option
- The Extract and Withdraw Option
- Modification of the Approach Route
- Conducting the Assault on El Grito de Lares
- Assessment of the FBI’s Decisions Regarding Entry
- FBI Entry Decisions in Puerto Rico before 8:05 p.m.
- Entry Decisions Made at FBI Headquarters
- The FBI’s Preparation for and Conduct of Negotiations
- Miscellaneous Issues
- The FBI’s Communications with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
- Prior Opportunities to Apprehend Ojeda
- Recommendations
- Recommendations Regarding Compliance with the DOJ Deadly Force Policy and Related Issues
- Recommendations Regarding the Decision to Conduct an Emergency Daylight Assault
- Recommendations Regarding the FBI’s Entry Decisions
- Recommendations Regarding the FBI’s Preparations for and Conduct of Negotiations
- Conclusion
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background
- Methodology of the OIG Review
- Organization of the OIG Report
CHAPTER TWO: PLANNING THE OJEDA ARREST OPERATION
- Historical Background Regarding Ojeda and the Macheteros
- Filiberto Ojeda Ríos and the Macheteros
- The 1985 Arrest of Ojeda
- Ojeda Becomes a Fugitive
- Later Activities of the Macheteros
- The FBI Locates Ojeda in Hormigueros
- The Request for the Assistance of the Hostage Rescue Team
- Background on the Hostage Rescue Team and the Critical Incident Response Group
- The HRT Advance Team Reconnaissance and Assessment
- Information Regarding the Neighbors
- The Operations Plans
- The Surveillance Plan
- The Arrest Plan
- Consideration of the Surround and Call-Out Option
- Discussions Regarding El Grito de Lares
- Preparations for Medical Emergencies
- Chain of Command
- Communications Links
- Helicopters
- Establishment and Organization of the HRT Tactical Operations Center and the San Juan FBI Command Post in Aguadilla
- The Role of the Police of Puerto Rico in the Arrest Operation
CHAPTER THREE: CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN THE SURVEILLANCE AND ARREST OPERATION
- Surveillance on September 21-22
- Issuance of the Search Warrant
- Surveillance on September 22-23
- Deliberations Regarding a Course of Action on September 23
- The Plan for a Pre-dawn Arrest Operation on September 24
- The Compromise of the Sniper-Observers
- Deliberations Regarding a Post-Compromise Course of Action
- Preparations for the Daylight Assault
- Transportation to the Target
- The Assault on Site 1
- Features and Layout of Site 1
- The Exchange of Gunfire
- The Evacuation of the Wounded Agent
- The Standoff
- The Surrender of Elma Beatríz Rosado Barbosa
- Communications between the FBI and Ojeda
- Activation of the Strategic Information and Operations Center at FBI HeadquarterS
- Crowds Assemble at Several Locations in Puerto Rico
- The Decision to Send Relief HRT Teams from Quantico
- Ojeda Struck by a Shot from the Perimeter
- Brian’s Position
- The Shots
- The Limited Breach of the Residence
- Decisions Immediately After the Limited Breach
- FBI Headquarters Assumes Control of the Law Enforcement Clear
- Counterterrorism Division Rejects a Nighttime Entry
- Reasons for the Decision
- Communication of the Final Decision
- HRT Agents’ Response to the Decision
- Notification of the Puerto Rico Department of Justice
- Approval of a Modified Fragmentary Order for a September 24 Daytime Clear
- Execution of the Daytime Clear
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS OF THE PUERTO RICO INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
- Findings on the Scene
- Autopsy
- Bullet and Shell Casing Examinations
- Trajectory Analysis
- Shooting Reconstruction
- Blood Patterns
CHAPTER FIVE: OIG ANALYSIS OF WHETHER THE OJEDA SHOOTING WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DEADLY FORCE POLICY
- The Department of Justice Deadly Force Policy
- Assessment of the FBI’s Use of Deadly Force During the Initial Exchange of Gunfire
- Rounds Fired Through the Wooden Gate into the Hallway
- Rounds Fired Toward the Kitchen Window
- The Infeasibility of Providing a Warning
- The Exercise of Fire Discipline
- The Three Shots Through the Front Door
- Assessment of the Perimeter Shots
- Lack of “Standard Load” of Ammunition
- Conclusions Regarding FBI Use of Force
CHAPTER SIX: OIG ASSESSMENT OF THE DECISION TO CONDUCT AN EMERGENCY DAYLIGHT ASSAULT
- The Circumstances of the Reported Compromise
- The Emergency Daylight Assault
- The Surround and Call-out Strategy
- Whether the FBI Gave Adequate Consideration to Extracting the Sniper-Observers and Withdrawing
- Modification of the Approach Routeg
- The Decision to Conduct the Assault on El Grito de Lares
- Conclusions Regarding the Decision to Conduct an Emergency Daylight Assault
CHAPTER SEVEN: OIG ASSESSMENT OF THE FBI’S DECISIONS REGARDING ENTRY OF THE RESIDENCE
- Assessment of FBI Entry Decisions in Puerto Rico from Approximately 6:08 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
- Differing Accounts Regarding the Chain of Command from 6:08 until 8:05 p.m.
- Whether the FBI Ignored Bloodstains on the Front Doorstep
- Assessment of FBI Entry Decisions at FBI Headquarters
- Decision to Require Counterterrorism Division Approval of any Plan to Enter the Residence
- Decision Not to Enter the Residence the Night of September 23
- The Informational Consequences of CTD Assuming Control of the Entry Decision
- The Tension Between the FBI’s Aggressive Strategy Before the Gunfire Exchange and its Cautious Strategy after Ojeda Was Wounded
- Consequences for the Outcome
- Conclusions Regarding the FBI’s Entry Decisions
CHAPTER EIGHT: ASSESSMENT OF THE PREPARATION FOR AND CONDUCT OF NEGOTIATIONS
- The FBI's Preparation for Negotiations in a Barricaded Subject Scenario
- The FBI’s Conduct of Negotiations and Rejection of Ojeda's Demand for a Reporter
- Impact of Negotiations on the Outcome
- Conclusions Regarding the Conduct of Negotiations
CHAPTER NINE: MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
- The FBI’s Communications with Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Government Officials Before and During the Ojeda Arrest Operation
- FBI's communications with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico before the arrest operation
- The FBI's Communications with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico after the Emergency Assault Failed
- Whether the FBI Bypassed Prior Opportunities to Apprehend Ojeda Safely
- The Landing Zone Error
- Causes of the Error
- Consequences of the Failure to Locate the Landing Zone
CHAPTER 10: RECOMMENDATIONS
CHAPTER 11: CONCLUSIONS
APPENDIX A: PSYEUDONYM LIST FOR FBI AGENTS IDENTIFIED IN OIG REPORT LISTED ALPHABETCALLY
|