Mandell: 'They Took Away His Incentive To Cooperate.'

LAWYER: DRUG WAR TRUMPED TERROR WAR

Says Feds Cared More About Nailing Client For Cocaine Than Protecting
National Security

David Mandell calls it a perfect illustration of "why the United States is
not going to win the war on terrorism." A local defense attorney, Mandell
recently handled a federal court case in which his client, who's from the
Middle East, tried to share information about individuals and groups who
may be funding terrorism and planning attacks. But the feds, he says, blew it.

"This is a guy who could have provided information on terrorist activities
and terrorist cells," says Mandell, speaking on condition that his client,
who fears for the safety of family members back home, is not named. "And
instead of trying to work with this guy, they just burned him on drug
charges. That shouldn't be our priority when public safety is threatened."

Mandell's client was arrested several years ago for having stolen a
significant quantity of low-grade cocaine from a drug dealer and storing it
in a safe that also contained weapons. Before his indictment, he fled the
country and returned to the Middle East.

Last year, the man purportedly learned of terrorist plots and activities
involving individuals in the United States. Distrustful of the authorities
in his home country, he returned to the U.S., where he was arrested on reentry.

"I think he's telling the truth," says Mandell. "There was no other reason
for him to come back here and he wasn't about to be extradited. He was in a
place where they couldn't get him."

According to Mandell, law enforcement agents met with his client three
times, and were interested enough in his information to seek additional
contact. But the feds failed to provide the assurances he sought that his
family would be protected. And then, says Mandell, the U.S. Attorney's
Office reneged on its promise to seek a reduced sentence. Earlier this
month, he was sentenced by Judge Barbara Crabb to nearly 20 years in prison.

Now the man is refusing to talk. Says Mandell, "He figures down the road
the shit's going to hit the fan and they'll come running back to him."

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil says his office assesses the
"merits, credibility and usefulness" of any information it receives and
considers the fight against terrorism its "top priority." He says Mandell's
client was given two breaks: the gun charge was dismissed and harsher drug
charges not pursued. In light of this, Judge Crabb sentenced him toward the
upper end on the remaining charges.

But Mandell feels the office should have done more to leverage a lesser
sentence. "They took away his incentive to cooperative. Now he doesn't
believe anything they say. And I don't blame him."