Cronin told Coyne that the letter to the inmate would be forwarded to the inmate's girlfriend, who presumably would pass it along to the inmate, while she (Cronin) would keep the letter to the FBI. At some point during the next month, Coyne sent the requested letters to the mail drop.


4
On or about October 5, 1999, Coyne was brought to a conference room at the prison where he was met by Cronin. Cronin told Coyne that the FBI had made a "terrible mistake" and had forwarded Coyne's entire parcel — including his letter to the FBI (which was sure to alert any reader that Coyne was an FBI informant) — to the girlfriend of the inmate in the Norfolk State Prison. Cronin expressed concern for the safety ofCoyne and his family and promised to do everything necessary to protect them. After the meeting, Cronin called Coyne's ex-wife and told her what had happened. She also called the local police in Coyne's ex-wife's town to warn them of the danger. Thereafter, word of Coyne's actions spread through the prison system and, at some point, Coyne had his teeth broken by a fellow inmate who accused him of "ratting" on others. Eventually, Coyne was transferred to the Hampshire House of Correction. Because of this transfer, Coyne lost an opportunity to participate in a halfway house program. He has since been released from prison. Coyne lives in fear for his safety and has received numerous threats since his term of imprisonment expired.


5
On July 23, 2001, Coyne brought the