James Collins is a corrupt government agent who in secret, is a con artist who gives immigrants fake green cards in exchange for thousands of dollars along with Cuban con artist Domingo Guerra. To protect his business, he assisted Guerra in hiring Cesar Pescador to burn down a meetup of immigrants, killing 53 of them and severely injuring others.
Heaven[]
The detectives originally suspect Guillermo Ruiz as the arsonist due to revenge, but he is cleared when doctors reveal a man asked to check out a piece of metal stuck in his leg. When his friend and fellow cook sells him out, Cesar runs away after he sees the police, but Cesar gets caught and arrested. While incarcerated, Cesar declines to have his leg cut off to stop him from limping, but the judge allows the surgery.
Cesar eventually reveals that a man ordered him to do it and has been giving fake green cards in exchange for thousands of dollars. When EADA Stone and ADA Robinette finds Guerra, Guerra reveals that Collins is an accomplice. Collins denies any involvement, but he is put in doubt. Guerra says that if he testifies against Collins, he will only be charged with one count of fraud while Collins will be charged with mass murder and threats.
While Guerra tries to make the deal, Stone and Robinette find out that he removed the windshield wiper reservoir, which caused the fire. When Collins is unable to deny that he did it, he and Guerra are sentenced to life imprisonment after the judge states the names of every victim to the court, with Guerra's deal becoming void. (L&O: "Heaven")