By Steve Neavling
A former DEA and Health and Human Services special agent who worked with the FBI is standing trial in Miami on charges that he was involved in illegally peddling Oxycodone, federal witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
Alberico Ahias Crespo, who worked with HHS’ Office of Inspector General, is accused of tipping off the target of the federal investigation of a painkiller-distribution ring and even threatening to kill informants who snitched on the target, Jorge Diaz Gutierrez.
Closing arguments in the case are expected to wrap up next week, and a federal jury will begin deliberating, The Miami Herald reports.
Over the past decade, Crespo, 48, worked on a healthcare strike force with HHS and FBI agents and previously worked as a DEA agent and Hialeah police officer.
On Tuesday, a jury heard recorded conversations between Crespo and Diaz.
“Old man, we’re both gonna end up in jail,” Crespo told Diaz, according to an FBI recording of their July 17, 2020 conversation, days before their arrests. “You’re not understanding. Both of us. Because old man, I’m not gonna sell you out.”
Crespo is also accused of coaching Diaz on what to tell an FBI agent if he was interviewed.
Authorities said the two men were close and that Diaz rented an apartment at Crespo’s home in Hialeah.
