Estelle would return alone by 8:00 a. M. At 7:55 a. M., I would be in my front yard on purpose with my Jeep Wagoneer's hood open. I would be visible.
I would look exactly like a retired man working on a project car. At 8:00 a. M., according to Camille's intelligence, the Sentinel deployment would arrive. The plan was simple. I would not resist.
I would not run. I would not draw a weapon, although I had one in a holster at the small of my back under a loose linen shirt. I would let them come up the driveway. I would let them speak first. I would, if they attempted to make physical contact, defend myself only to the extent necessary to remain conscious and capable of giving sworn testimony.
I would, if at any point they detained me, comply verbally while making clear on camera and on audio that I had not consented and was not voluntarily complying. The cameras would capture everything. The sprinter would deploy within 92 seconds. The Bayou Drive panel van would secure the perimeter. The Tampa field office tactical operations center would coordinate the arrests of every other Sentinel unit on patrol within the hour on a synchronized takedown.
Camille had a simple way of putting it. Hayes, you are the door. Once they come through the door, we have them on every charge in the United States code that matters. Federal civil rights, conspiracy, RICO, murder, if the exhumations come back the way these file suggests they will. There was one moment in the plan that nobody at the table liked, but which I insisted on.
I asked Camille not to deploy until they hit me. Estelle did not love it. She did not say anything. She just looked at me across the table the way she looks at me when she has decided to trust my judgment and would prefer I not abuse it. Winn objected.
Hayes, if you let them hit you, the assault is on you. There is a real risk of serious injury. You are 62. You had cardiac stents in 2017. When the stances are fine, the cameras need the assault on camera.
Without it, the case is paperwork. With it, the case is conviction. I'm willing to be the door. There was a long silence at the table. Camille looked at me for a long moment.
Hayes. Okay, we let them commit the act. We secure on hit. The simple takeaway here for anyone who is ever going to be the witness in a federal case is one Camille said three times during our preparation. Documentation is everything.