Michael Townley

About

Infamous for assassinating Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and Chilean military leader Carlos Prats, he was also convicted of the attempted murder of another Chilean leader, politician Bernardo Leighton. He committed these crimes while assisting the Direccion de Inteligencia Nacional (Chile's secret police organization).

Before Fame

His criminal activity began following his 1973 move to Chile. At the time, he was working for the United States' Central Intelligence Agency.

Trivia

Following his convictions, he accepted a plea bargain and avoided further punishment through enrollment in the United States' Federal Witness Protection Program.

Family Life

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, he grew up as the son of fellow C.I.A. agent John Vernon Townley.

Associated With

He aided Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in creating chemical weapons for use against political enemies.