George Rodriguez, interview, 1992-07-29

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Content PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL - ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
On July 29, 1992, I conducted an interview with George Rodriguez, Special Agent
in Charge, Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Mr.
Rodriguez's office is located at 350 South Figueroa, 8th Floor, Los Angeles, California.
The following topics were discussed:
( 1) The role of A TF and the extent of its participation in connection with the Los
Angeles riots;
(2) The extent and nature of the relationship which exists between ATF and
local law enforcement agencies; and
(3) Comments and criticisms of the response by law enforcement agencies in
connection with the riots.
\\~3
Treasury.Mem
-~·-. ,
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL - ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
MEMORANDUM
Judge William H. Webster, Special Advisor to the
Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners,
Richard J. Stone, Esq., General Counsel and Staff Director
Vicki I. Podberesky, Esq.
Member of the Staff of the General Counsel to the Special Advisor and
Deputy Special Advisor
July 30, 1992
Interview of Special Agent in Charge George Rodriguez, Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms
On July 29, 1992 at approximately 10::00 a.m. at the offices of the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (
11
ATF'), I conducted an interview of ATF Special Agent
in Charge, George Rodriguez. The following is a summary of my recollection of this
meeting, including my questions and comments, together with my mental impressions,
conclusions and opinions based upon that meeting. This memorandum does not contain
a verbatim transcript of agent Rodriguez's comments, nor has this memorandum been
reviewed are adopted by Agent Rodriguez.
Agent Rodriguez has been the Special Agent in Charge of the ATF, Los Angeles
Office for the last eight months. Prior to that he was the Special Agent in Charge of ATF
in Kansas City, Missouri and before that the Acting Special Aqent in Charge in
Washington, D.C. Agent Rodriguez has had 27 years of law en
Agent Rodriguez. He explained that the mission of ATF is to assist
Treasury.Mem 2
Because A TF is specifically mandated to provide assistance to local law enforcement,
prior to the riots ATF had a well established working relationship with LAPD.
At about the time that the riots occurred, ATF was working with LAPD, Newton
Division near South Central Los Angeles in setting up an undercover program. This
program ~as to begin on May 1, 1992, but was postponed because of the riots. In light
of the fact that ATF was setting up an undercover program with Newton Division, ATF
agents were already stationed at Newton Division and were thus in a position to
immediately begin assisting LAPD once the riots broke out. ATF could be characterized
as being in a state of readiness with respect to providing assistance to local law
enforcement.
The day that the riots broke out, Agent Rodriguez indicated to me that he
immediately had his staff prepare a current and updated list of all firearms licensees in
the Los Angeles area. Agent Rodriguez believed that this might be information LAPD may
need if the disturbances continued to escalate. Rodriguez's anticipation paid off. The
morning following the verdict, ATF received a telephone call from the Central and Valley
Bureaus of the police department requesting an identification list of all firearms licensees.
ATF used April 30, 1992 as a day to formulate a plan of action. ATF has a task force with
the Los Angeles Fire Department (
11
LAFD
11
). There were informal communications with
LAFD officials on how to handle the arsons. ATF has federal jurisdiction over arsons.
The primary concern of ATF in connection with LAFD was fire fighter safety. LAFD made
a request for security to ATF.
On day two, ATF was receiving information concerning stores which had been
looted. There are approximately 4000 dealers of firearms in the Los Angeles area. Of
Treasury.Mem 3
!" .
these 4000 dealers of firearms, ATF reports that only 36 were burglarized. ATF with LAPD
was able to control the looting of firearms dealers. In part, the success of this was
attributable to private citizens calling in and reporting problems in the area, or reporting
to ATF that they were in possession of large quantities of firearms and were in need of
protection.
On May 1, 1992, ATF received concurrence from Washington, D.C. for an
additional 100 agents to be brought to Los Angeles. ATF was one of the first federal
agencies to mobilize its resources to Los Angeles. ATF agents from Arizona, San Diego,
Dallas, New Orleans and New Mexico came to Los Angeles.
ATF agents were divided into three groups: suppression, special operations and
investigation. Those agents responsible for suppression consisted of the out-of-town
agents who road along with LAPD to assist in patrol. The second group was classified
as special operations. These agents consisted of SWAT teams and provided protection
to fire fighters in the Los Angeles and Long Beach areas. The assignment to protect fire
fighters in Long Beach came through the FBI headquarters. ATF agents provided
protection to Los Angeles fire fighters through direct contacts between ATF and LAPD
based on their previous working relationship. ATF's assignment to the Los Angeles Fire
Department was approved by the FBI. The SWAT teams were also responsible for
executing warrants. Approximately 40 warrants were executed from April 30, 1992
through May 4, 1992. Finally, the third group of ag.ents were assigned to investigation.
Investigation was divided into two areas, firearms and arson. The firearms investigation
focused primarily on gang related looting of stolen firearms. The arson investigation team
consisted of approximately 20 agents trained to determine the cause and origin of arsons.
Treasury.Mem 4
- ....
An internal ATF command post was established at the federal building at the offices of
ATF. ATF liaisons were also sent to the FBI headquarters in Westwood, the LAPD
command _post at City Hall and a second LAPD command post.
Rodriguez indicated that almost immediately ATF agents were at local LAPD
stations, especially Newton and Rampart Stations where prior working relationships
existed, to provide help if needed. Initially, LAPD indicated that the offer of assistance
was appreciated, but that ATF was of no use at that point. ATF agents, however,
remained at Newton and Rampart Stations to assist and did assist later on.
ATF also implemented an 800 number, 1-800-ATF-GUNS to allow citizens to
provided information to ATF and LAPD as to the existence of any large quantities of
firearms or possible anticipated looting of firearms in a particular area. As previously
noted, approximately 40 search warrants were executed over a 4 to 5 day period of time.
ATF was able to recover over 100 firearms.
Rodriguez attended the initial meeting of federal agencies at the FBI command
post in Westwood on May 1, 1992 after the signing of the executive order. It was at that
meeting that the word was given that Police Chief Gates was of the opinion that LAPD did
not need assistance from federal agencies. Rodriguez indicated that at the patrol level,
it appeared to him from the information he received that LAPD was receptive of the
assistance given by ATF. Everything that ATF did was communicated to the FBI for their
approval. ATF both took assignments from the FBI and gave the FBI information
concerning assignments they had taken responsibility for on their own.
There exists no formal or informal mechanism for interaction between ATF and
local law enforcement. Rodriguez indicated that it would be beneficial to have a meeting
Treasury.Mem 5
,I I
among each of the agencies to formulate an overall combined strategy on how to deal
with future civil disturbances of this nature. Rodriguez indicated that ATF agents were
able to accomplish tasks more expediently by dealing directly with the local LAPD stations
then by tasks routed through the FBI command post. Rodriguez also stated that the
slower response time to the fact that there were too many people at the command post
1evel. Rodriguez believed that it would have been more effective and expeditious to have
a few key people at the command post that could make quick decisions without seeking
numerous levels of approval. Rodriguez indicated that each individual organization
should have its own plan as to what actions it could take in connection with future civil
disturbances as well as what resources were available to it. Rodriguez also indicated that
each organization should be made aware of the plans and resources of all other
agencies.
Rodriguez believed that there should be a greater effort expended by both federal
and local law enforcement agencies in improving their relationships.
Rodriguez also stated that more thought should be given to some of the details
of address· ing future civil disturbances. An example was given with respect to the dress
that was worn by certain law enforcement agencies. Bureau of Prisons agents were
outfitted in all black attire with night sticks. There was a feeling among the local
enforcement agencies that this type of attire might tend to incite more violence and
hostility, and therefore, it was Rodriguez's perception that Bureau of Prison agents were
not as readily utilized as agents from other federal agencies.
Rodriguez had in his possession a file and report containing a chronology of
actions and responses by ATF during the course of the riot as well as statistics
Treasury.Mem 6
concerning the number of search warrants executed by ATF, the number of firearms
recovered, the number of fatalities and the number of fires. Rodriguez indicated that he
would redact certain confidential information concerning specific arrest made by ATF
agents during the riots and provide me with the general chronology and statistical
information that was in the report. This report is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The report
sets forth a detailed chronology of all actions taken by ATF during the riots, as well as
relevant statistical information concerning the number of fires, totalities, arrests and
injuries in specific areas. The report also identifies the number of searches conducted
by ATF, press releases and deployment and dispatch of federal agents.
Treasury.Mem 7
. . ,.
- __ _
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
Post Office Box 1991 - Main Office
Los Angeles, California 90053-1991
July 31, 1992
Vicki I. Podbersky, Esq.
Nasatir and Hirsch
Main Street Law Building
2115 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90405
Dear Ms. Podheresky:
LE:CA:L:GAR/te
Attached you will find an executive summary, deployment
log, and various other data relating to ATF's
participation during the Los Angeles riots. The log is
not all inclusive and does not detail our overall
operations. It does show how we organized and began to
interrelate with the Los Angeles Police Department and
other law enforcement agencies. The documents are
internal documents and, as you agreed, are to be used
solely for the preparation of your report. If at all
possible, we would like a copy of the section of your
final report that relates to our activity.
If I can be of further assistance, please do not
hesitate to call me at {213) 894-4812.
~/
George A. Rodriguez
Special Agent in Charge
..
EXHIBIT A

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