Statement of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Judith M. Chilen regarding the conclusion of the Federal Search Warrant in the James Riddle Hoffa Investigation

Daniel D. Roberts, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Detroit, Michigan, released the following information regarding the execution of a search warrant to locate the body of James Riddle Hoffa:

On May 17th, the FBI, in conjunction with the Bloomfield Township Police Department, commenced the search of this property acting on the authority of a federal search warrant. The warrant was based on specific information indicating there was probable cause to believe that the body of James Hoffa might be buried here. The information was specific. The information also contained certain details that were never made available to the FBI before. That information was then investigated by agents and corroborated in several ways. The details of the information and the steps taken to verify it to the extent possible was drawn up into a sworn affidavit and presented to a federal judge who found that there was indeed probable cause to go forward with this search. That affidavit remains sealed because the investigation remains ongoing. There are still prosecutable defendants who are living, and they know who they are.

This search commenced May 17, 2006, in Milford Township, Michigan. After a thorough and comprehensive search, no remains of Mr. Hoffa have been located and absent any additional new information, our work here has concluded.

During the execution of this search warrant, it became necessary to demolish a horse barn located within the search area. This was done after consultation with structural engineers who agreed that it would be safer for people working the site and for the horses if the structure were removed. In their judgement it was also less costly to remove the barn then it would have been to attempt to secure the structure and dig under it. Appropriate arrangements were made with the owners of the property to compensate them for the reconstruction of a new barn. I want to say that the property owners have been incredibly cooperative throughout this operation and we appreciate that and thank them. In consultation with the property owners, arrangements for the housing and care of the horses have been made until a new barn can be constructed.

In the course of this search, we engaged the assistance of experts such as anthropologists, archeologists, and graduate students from Michigan State University, and Detroit Police Department cadaver canines were utilized at the site as well as a geologist and archeologist from FBI Headquarters. It was also necessary to utilize manpower from the Detroit FBI, the Chicago FBI, as well as personnel from FBI Headquarters and the Bloomfield Township Police Department. In total, approximately 15 to 20 FBI Special Agents and command post supervisors were onsite during daylight hours to assist with the search and evidence collection. Five to seven additional Special Agents were assigned 24 hours a day for security purposes. It should also be noted that at any given time the owners, employees and customers of the business were present as were contractors, electricians and plumbers to assist in the safe dismantlement of the barn. We began this search with a plan that took into consideration both anticipated costs and unanticipated costs. We do not put a price tag on kidnaping/murder investigations, as we treat all human life on an equal basis. We do not make moral judgements on the victims of crimes, we do our job. We go where the investigation takes us.

This search is where the evidence led us and we will continue to follow up and pursue all leads in an effort to resolve this investigation and all other ongoing organized crime matters. We hope this sends a message to those involved in organized crime activities, that the FBI does not give up and will pursue all logical investigation, no matter how much time has passed.