DAVENPORT, Iowa — Two Iowa PI’s found themselves testifying in a Muscatine County Courthouse about their involvement with a client, and potential client, who was ultimately charged with a double murder.
The man on trial is Luis Alberto Gomez-Rodriguez, a 40-year-old former Miami resident.The two local PI’s, Rodney Hulen and Thomas Breese, had testified that Gomez-Rodriguez had contacted both of them separately asking if they could help him find a native Cuban couple, Maria Antonia Rivero, a former girlfriend and Juan Sarol-Cepero’s, her new boyfriend. The alleged murder suspect claimed that he had gone on a business trip and when he returned that the girlfriend had absconded with more than $125,000. in cash and furniture.
The first PI he contacted and hired was Hulen on January 14, 2005 for a $200. retainer. When Hulen wasn’t able to find the hiding couple, Gomez-Rodrigues tried to hire Breese on February 21, 2005, two days before the murder.
Breese, the second PI, testified that Gomez-Rpdriguez was very nervous and that made Breese suspicious. Breese refused to take the case and told Gomez-Rodriguez he was busy. Breese also testified that Gomez-Rodriguez had copies of his girlfriends’ cellular toll bills in his possession along with documents that included driver licenses, and motor vehicle information on the couple.
This Iowa case should be is a major eye opener to PI’s throughout the US. You must make sure that the intentions of your client are very clear and when your gut says something isn’t right, it is probably correct.
A client, that hired me to see if his wife was cheating, deceived me. I caught him actually stalking her when he was supposed to be out of town. I immediately called the local Sheriff’s Department and reported him. The Officier at the Sheriff’s office contacted this man and put a stop to a potential murder/harm case. I have found that I have to determine my client’s motive before I even start working the case.
Remember, always keep in mind: 1) Deception: What the client wants you to think and know, & 2) Truth: What the real motive is.
David Keith
I wrote an article that was published in the February issue F.A.L.I. newsletter addressing this subject. Professional investigators not only have the right, but the responsibility to determine a client’s intended use of any and all information obtained.
If it doesn’t feel or smell right…turn it down!