It takes bad men to bring down bad men
BY MIKE CETERA
He once threatened violence against police, but for years now he's been working for them. He once held the titles "enforcer" and "terminator" as a member of an Aurora street gang. Now he goes by the less menacing title of "informant."
Orlando Rivera is no angel. Yet he's one of the men helping law enforcement officials seek to close long cold murder cases in Aurora. This week he testified for the prosecution in a murder case from 2000.
Make no mistake, Rivera isn't doing this simply because he's had a change of heart about being a gang member. Court records show authorities have forgiven past crimes and have paid him handsomely for his services.
Rivera is a clear example of the type of people police need to cultivate to make a case in gang crimes. It's a game cops must play with caution.
Informants are considered a crucial tool used by law enforcement to infiltrate organized crime, and they can get in because of who they are: crook, drug dealer, killer. That's also what makes them a risk.
Rivera "has been charged three times with attempted murder," I wrote in a story about informants several years ago. "Three times a jury has acquitted him, most recently in 2000."
He has been accused of threatening a witness outside of court, possessing a weapon as a felon and drug dealing. He has spent time in the Kane County jail, the Kendall County jail and the Illinois Department of Corrections, where he was sentenced in 1996 to five years in prison on weapons charges.
By then, he was known by a different number: #K53246, assigned to the Pittsfield Work Camp at the Jacksonville Correctional Center.
A memo written by prosecutors included in one court file painted the gang member as "extremely cocky and proud of his role as the `terminator'...," while warning of potential violence against police.
In short, he was a danger to society. But he also had value to the authorities.
He still apparently does.
Comments
Mike I am questioning your integrity as well as your role in the media as a reporter. I have been following all of the cold case stories....you seem to be leaning more on one side of the fence in all of your stories and blogs. You have no issue putting the names of people involved out there that are trying to help prosecute those charged. You also have no problem making those who are willing to help (albeit their own motive) look guilty themselves and listing all of their wrong doings. I am sure you will respond by saying you are just putting out the facts - but IMO - you seem biased and again call your integrity as a reporter to the table.
Trust me when I say I have no sympathy for those who have comitted these crimes/murders. May they be punished as the court and God see fit. But I do not like the way your articles read when it seems like you are trying to stir up some trouble.
Posted by: Not so sure if Mike..... | August 2, 2007 11:44 AM
Mike Cetera shame on you for putting names of informants and possible ones on these blogs. By doing so your putting their famlies at risk. Rivera is a good example. He was charged but was acquitted meaning "found NOT GUILTY".
I too question your role as a reporter. I think your employer really needs to evaluate your postion with them. These cold cases are very sensitive and it seems like you have no problem making it worse. Please respect ALL families involved.
Posted by: Respect | August 3, 2007 08:22 PM
What happened to Freedom of the Press?!!! You self righteous hypocrites are quick to pity the informant for doing the "right thing" and state your lack of sympathy for the ALLEGED MURDERERS not knowing all the facts. This reporter is obviously sitting in court and listening to the DUE PROCESS that everyone has a right to. Why don't you go in there and see the real drama and or trouble unfold. Do you honestly feel safer with this Mr. Rivera helping the police in one manner while he probably continues his criminal career?!!
Posted by: Aurora Citizen | August 4, 2007 02:01 PM
Self righteous hypocrites? Please re-read the posts. I have no opinion either way - for either side. My post was intended directly for Mike and the way he posts and writes his stories. The second poster asked Mike to respect ALL families involved.
You are quick to jump on a band wagon without reading the posts properly. Must be the East side education. :-) Go Tomcats!
Posted by: uh, learn how to read | August 6, 2007 07:39 AM
Uhhhmmm.. for those of you who show great concern for "mike" posting informantes names... please, he hasn't mentioned anything the street didn't already know. This info isn't new to the streets, Orlando has been a rat for sometime and he's been putting his family in harms way since he started running the streets over 10 yrs ago. if he never cared, why should anyone else! He'll be alright..
Posted by: no longer in Aurora.. | August 8, 2007 10:57 AM
I must say some people are testy. First of all is Mike Cetera's job to put things out there and see what reaction he gets. Second as for only having an Eastside Education and not being able to read...Well I hate to be the one to tell you but alot of people come from the Westside not being able to read too. The been passing people through for years. Westside is just better at hiding it and covering it up.
Posted by: Frieda | August 9, 2007 12:34 AM
To the so called, uh, learn how to read, take your own advice. The comment of being a hypocrite was directed to YOU AND ONLY YOU.
Your opinion was against the alleged murderers AND how Mr. Cetera writes his stories. Your lack of sympathy and desire for their punishment is narrow minded and ignorant. God only knows what pathetic life you live to be so judgemental. Eastside or Westside education is not the matter here. You obviously never finished high school to state such an immature comment!
Posted by: Aurora Citizen | August 11, 2007 01:45 PM
Try reading my post once again - you just may get it right one of these times. I will even write it again to quote myself; "I have no sympathy for those who have comitted these crimes/murders." Never said 'for those accused' .....
"self righteous hypocrites" is plural - I am only one person - so when using a plural form - it sounds as though you are directing your comment to multiple people. Thank you for clarifying it was only directed to me.
"God only knows what pathetic life you live to be so judgemental." Wow - who is throwing stones?
As for my education - it is too long to list.
Posted by: I see you still can not read.... | August 13, 2007 09:59 AM