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Virgilio Gonzalez
Watergate Burglar
Watergate Break-in Operative, Cuban Exile Locksmith
Overview
Virgilio Gonzalez was a Cuban exile and professional locksmith who served as one of the five men arrested inside the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex on June 17, 1972. Born in Havana, Gonzalez fled Cuba after Fidel Castro's revolution and settled in Miami, where he became part of the tight-knit Cuban exile community that maintained close ties to the CIA through anti-Castro operations. His locksmithing skills made him valuable to the Watergate operation, as he was tasked with picking the locks at the DNC offices. Gonzalez participated in the failed first break-in attempt on May 26-27, 1972, where he was unable to pick the lock on the DNC door, leading to a return trip on June 17 when the team was caught. He was recruited by fellow Cuban exile Bernard Barker, who in turn was working for E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy. Gonzalez initially refused to cooperate with prosecutors, maintaining silence about who had ordered the operation, consistent with anti-Castro operatives' code of loyalty. He pleaded guilty; Judge Sirica ultimately sentenced him to 1 to 4 years, and he served approximately 14 months before being paroled. Gonzalez largely retreated from public life after his release, returning to his locksmith trade in Miami. He remained one of the least known but most operationally essential members of the Watergate break-in team.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
WATERGATE BREAK-IN: One of five burglars arrested inside DNC headquarters at Watergate complex on June 17, 1972, triggering the greatest political scandal in American history
LOCKSMITH ROLE: Recruited specifically for lockpicking skills to gain entry to DNC offices; failed on first attempt May 26-27, necessitating the fateful return trip
CIA CONNECTIONS: Part of Cuban exile network with extensive CIA ties dating back to Bay of Pigs and anti-Castro operations
FIRST BREAK-IN FAILURE: Could not pick the DNC door lock during the initial May 1972 attempt, which required the team to return for the operation that led to their arrest
CODE OF SILENCE: Maintained silence about who ordered the break-in, refusing to cooperate with prosecutors and protecting the chain of command back to CRP and the White House
GUILTY PLEA: Pleaded guilty to charges related to the break-in; sentenced to 1-4 years by Judge Sirica
CUBAN EXILE EXPLOITATION: Used by American intelligence and political operatives who exploited the Cuban exile community's anti-Communist fervor for domestic political purposes
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
3 documented violations
22 D.C. Code 1801(b)Burglary; Unlawful entry into DNC headquarters at Watergate complex(Federal)
18 U.S.C. 2511Interception of Wire Communications; Participated in operation to place wiretaps on DNC phones(Federal)
18 U.S.C. 371Conspiracy; Conspired with others to burglarize and wiretap DNC headquarters(Federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Bernard Barker
Fellow Watergate burglar who recruited Gonzalez
Eugenio Martinez
Fellow Cuban exile and Watergate burglar
Frank Sturgis
Fellow Watergate burglar
James McCord
Fellow Watergate burglar and former CIA officer
E. Howard Hunt
CIA officer who planned and directed the break-in
Sources & Documentation
5 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- March 17, 1926
- Birthplace
- Havana, Cuba
Education
Key Timeline
March 17, 1926
Born in Havana, Cuba
1959
Flees Cuba after Castro's revolution, settles in Miami
1960s
Works as locksmith in Miami; becomes involved in anti-Castro exile community with CIA connections
1961
Part of Cuban exile community during Bay of Pigs era
May 1972
Recruited by Bernard Barker for covert operation in Washington, D.C.
May 26-27, 1972
First Watergate break-in attempt fails when Gonzalez cannot pick the DNC office lock
June 17, 1972
Arrested inside DNC headquarters at Watergate complex at approximately 2:30 AM with Barker, Martinez, Sturgis, and McCord
June 1972
Arraigned; bail attempt fails; held in D.C. jail
September 1972
Indicted by federal grand jury along with the other burglars, Hunt, and Liddy
January 11, 1973
Pleads guilty before Judge John Sirica
March 23, 1973
Sentenced by Judge Sirica to 1 to 4 years in federal prison
1974
Paroled after serving approximately 14 months
Post-release
Returns to Miami, resumes locksmith work, largely avoids public attention
June 11, 2014
Dies in Miami at age 88