FBI Case File Review
Have you ever thought how cool it would be to eavesdrop on the FBI? On FBI Case File Review, a true crime FBI podcast, host Jerri Williams, a retired agent herself, is on a mission to show you who the FBI is and what the FBI does by interviewing her former Bureau colleagues who share personal stories about the Bureau's most intriguing and high-profile cases, as well as many you've never heard of. Listen in on their conversations and experience what it's like to hunt down a serial killer or terrorist, catch a spy during an espionage case, comb through a file cabinet of incriminating documents in a corruption investigation, or sit on a wire and conduct a physical surveillance to gather evidence of drug trafficking or organized crime.
Episodes
411: John Pi – RaisetheFist.com Cyber Intrusion Case, FBI Agent and ER Doctor
Retired agent Dr. John Pi, MD, reviews his investigation of the RaisetheFist website, a landmark cyber intrusion investigation that tested the boundaries of digital evidence, constitutional protections, and national security law enforcement. Sherman Austin was charged and convicted of the distribution of information relating to explosives, destructive devices, and weapons of mass destruction with
410: Wayne Barnes – The Hunt for a Russian Mole in the FBI
Retired agent Wayne Barnes reviews a 1998 espionage investigation where he was assigned to ferret out a suspected mole within the FBI who was spying for the former Soviet Union and Russia. This involved recruiting "Ivan," a former Soviet intelligence operative who was believed to be aware of the mole's identity. Ivan, who was seeking American backers for a film project, was going to be at the Amer
409: John Kingston - Soldier of Fortune Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy Case
Retired agent John Kingston reviews how he unraveled a murder-for-hire conspiracy which resulted in the 1985 killing of Atlanta entrepreneur Richard Braun, who was ambushed and killed in his driveway. The hit was brokered through a Soldier of Fortune magazine classified ad. Four men were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. After filing a lawsuit, the victim's family won a landmark civil verd
408: Sheldon Fung – Abrin Biotoxin For Sale, Weapons of Mass Destruction Case
Retired agent Sheldon Fung reviews the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Sacramento Division investigation of James Christopher Malcolm, who used the online moniker "Dark_Mart." Malcolm was charged and convicted for possessing abrin, a deadly biological toxin similar to ricin found in the seed of the rosary pea, a tropical plant. He knowingly sold vials of abrin to individuals planning to use the
407: Barry Colvert – John Walker Spy Ring Case, Early Days of FBI Polygraphs
Retired agent and veteran polygraph examiner Barry Colvert reviews the over 20 polygraph exams he conducted on the John Walker spy ring case, beginning with Barbara Walker, John's ex-wife who was almost dismissed as a drunken spouse seeking revenge for unpaid child support money and alimony, when she claimed John had been selling military secrets to the Soviet Union. That quirky beginning led to o
406: Tom Ropel – American Al Qaeda Member, Adam Gadahn Indicted for Treason
Retired agent Tom Ropel reviews his fugitive investigation of Adam Gadahn, who was indicted in October 2004 for treason and was the first American indicted for treason since the 1950s. California-born Gadahn, who moved to Pakistan to join Al Qaeda, was also charged with providing aid and comfort and material support to the terrorist organization for making propaganda videos supporting Al Qaeda. He
405: Kerri Reifel – 30-Year Child Murder, 16-Year BAU Case, Who killed April Tinsley?
Retired agent Kerri Reifel reviews her work with the Fort Wayne Police Department on the investigation into the murder of 8-year-old April Tinsley, who disappeared on April 1, 1988. Her body was found three days later. But the murder went unsolved for over thirty years. Kerri worked closely with Fort Wayne PD Detective Brian Martin and others on the case for 16 years, first as an agent assigned to
404: Shawn Johnson and Steven Meyers – How to Rob a Bank, The Hollywood Bandit
Retired agent Shawn Johnson reviews his investigation of serial bank robber Scott Scurlock, aka the Hollywood Bandit. Steven Meyers, who was Scurlock's lookout and getaway driver, also takes part in this case review. Steven Meyers and Scurlock staged takeover heists in the Seattle area during a four-year period in the 1990s. Before entering the bank, Meyers would help Scurlock disguise himself wit
403: Eric Robinson – Solicitation for Murder of Federal Judge
Retired agent Eric Robinson reviews a case where the subject provided thousands of dollars to a terrorist organization to support violent jihad. After he was arrested, the subject solicited the murder of the federal judge presiding over his case. Eric led the undercover operation where an agent posed as a "hitman" to record the plot to kill the judge. Eric received the U.S. Attorney General's Awar
402: Brian O'Hare and Sean O'Brien - Chattanooga Terrorist Attack, ERT Crime Scene
Retired agent Brian O'Hare and former Chattanooga Police Lieutenant Sean O'Brien review the July 16, 2015, attack by a lone terrorist, who opened fire on two military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He first committed a drive-by shooting at a recruiting center, where one Marine was injured by gunfire. He then traveled to a U.S. Navy reserve center where he continued firing. Four U.S. Mari
401: Lara Burns - Holy Land Foundation, Hamas Terrorist Financing Case
Retired agent Lara Burns reviews her investigation of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, a Texas-based charitable organization, which led to the conviction of some of Hamas' top fundraisers in the United States. The government charged that HLF was created for the sole purpose of acting as a financing arm for Hamas. It has been illegal to provide financial support to Hamas, a desi
400: Vito Roselli – Missing on South Street, Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone Jr.
Retired agent Vito Roselli reviews the biggest but still unsolved case of his FBI career, the missing-persons investigation of Richard Petrone Jr. and Danielle Imbo, who were last seen leaving a bar in Philadelphia on February 19, 2005, never to be seen again. Over two decades later, the case remains open and active. Also taking part in the case review are Christine Girardi, Richard Petrone's sist
399: Larry Guerin - HIPAA Protected Patient Data Theft, Standoff Lessons
Retired agent Larry Guerin reviews a health care fraud investigation involving an emergency medical technician (EMT) who stole Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protected patient information, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, and phone numbers, and then tried to sell it back to managers of private ambulance companies. The case would have been onl
398: Al Scudieri and Judy Hoyer – Bankruptcy, Bank Failure, Ponzi Schemes
Retired agent Al Scudieri and former Assistant United States attorney (AUSA) Judy Hoyer review the Allen Wolfson case, initiated as an FBI investigation of a $600,000 Tampa bankruptcy fraud that should have taken only months to resolve. Three years later, the case had led to the discovery of two nationwide Ponzi schemes and the failure of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company of Tampa, with abou
397: James Page – Jewelry Store Burglary Ring, Weapons of Mass Destruction
Retired agent James Page reviews his investigation of John Mark Collins, a former Florida sheriff's deputy, and his accomplices in a jewelry store burglary ring and supermarket break-ins which took place in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The thieves would break into businesses and empty the contents of safes and display cases. The men are accused of stealing $1.3 m
396: Dawn Norris Doak – Working Undercover, Par Funding Investment Fraud
Retired agent Dawn Norris Doak reviews her undercover role in the investment fraud investigation of Joseph LaForte, the founder of Par Funding, which took in money from investors promised high returns to provide cash advances to small businesses that could not qualify for loans from banks. Par Funding then charged the small business owners exorbitant interest rates, and when they failed to make th
395: Michael De La Pena – Santa Claus Armored Car Robbery and Murder
Retired agent Michael De La Pena reviews a case where he, as a rookie agent, was assigned to investigate two armored car robberies in West Hartford, Connecticut, where a total of $1.8 million was stolen. During one of the robberies, one of the subjects wore a full Santa Claus costume as a disguise and later had one of the robbers killed to stop him from talking about the crime. Check out the episo
394: Ed Mireles - Undercover Tales of Money, Drugs and Lies
Retired agent Ed Mireles reviews several true stories from his 15-plus years of undercover work using the alias Lalo. He recounts his assignments posing as a notorious drug trafficker, transporter, and money launderer in Miami, El Paso, Tucson, and other areas along the Southwest border between Mexico and the United States. Ed, aka Lalo, managed several warehouses in Miami, Florida, and he expande
393: George Olivo – Polygraph Exams, Interrogations, and Confessions
In part two of this two-part episode, retired agent and FBI certified polygraph examiner George Olivo continues his review of the FBI's polygraph program, interview skills he's developed over his more than a decade as an FBI certified polygraph examiner, and of two of the cases he worked. The first case review covers his examination of Fernando Vazquez Garcia, suspected of possessing child sexual
392: Larry Wansley – Early Days of Undercover Program, Corrupt Texas Sheriff
Former agent Larry Wansley, one of the FBI's first long-term deep undercover agents, reviews the early years of the FBI's undercover program when, starting in1973 he and a handful of agents, including the equally legendary Joe Pistone, began using the investigative technique forbidden by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. They were part of a behavioral sciences study to establish standards for UC Agent
391: Gerry Bianchi – Tales from a Tech Agent, Mob Wars and More
Retired agent 4erry Bianchi reviews several investigations he worked as a technically trained agent in the Philadelphia Division, including surreptitious entries into a mob attorney's law office, Philly mob boss John Stanfa's luncheonette, Philly mob boss Ralph Natale's penthouse apartment and the former Garden State racetrack to install court-authorized electronic surveillance recording devices.
390: Geoff Kelly – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist, Thirteen Perfect Fugitives
Retired agent Geoffrey Kelly reviews his 22-year investigation of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist where 13 masterpieces worth over $500 million were stolen and have never been recovered. He shares his insights and theories about the infamous theft, and his thoughts about armchair detectives and journalists with their own speculations involving international culprits and government conspi
389: George Olivo – Polygraph Exam of Female Murderer, A&E Lie Detector Series
Retired agent and FBI-certified polygraph examiner George Olivo reviews his polygraph examination of Korina Flores Sanchez, who was suspected of murdering her live-in boyfriend. It was one of the first high-stakes examinations George conducted as a brand-new polygrapher. George is also interviewed about the truths and untruths surrounding polygraphs, what true crime media often gets wrong about po
388: Jerry Spurgers – Disappearance and Murder of Federal Witness, Death Crime Scenes
Retired agent Jerry Spurgers reviews his investigation of the mysterious disappearance of federal witness Susan Cooper from Malvern, Arkansas. The case involved drug conspiracy, witness intimidation, and murder. Jerry investigated the case with a team of local officers, sheriff's deputies, and an intelligence analyst by using traditional police skills and new technologies. As a former member of th
387: Phil Andrew – NY Times Reporter Kidnapped By Taliban, Hostage Negotiation
Retired agent Phil Andrew shares how his experience surviving one of the nation's first school shootings when he was a twenty-year-old college student impacted his FBI career as a hostage negotiator. Phil reviews a kidnapping case where he negotiated with a member of the terrorist organization behind the Mumbai attacks and a case where he attempted to broker the release of New York Times reporter
386: Barry Black – Hazardous Devices, FBI Special Agent Bomb Tech
Retired agent Barry Black reviews two bombing cases he worked as a special agent bomb tech (SABT) assigned to the Oklahoma City Division. The first case covers the detonation of a bomb at a University of Oklahoma football game in 2005, where the subject used a type of homemade explosive that had only been used by international terrorists. The second is an undercover investigation code-named Operat
385: Jerri Williams - 10th Anniversary Show and Listener Q and A
FBI Case File Review celebrates the 10th anniversary of the podcast with a solo show featuring the host and producer, retired agent Jerri Williams. That's me! I released my first episode on January 22nd, 2016. Today marks my ten years as an FBI-focused storyteller. In this episode, I talk about why I started the podcast and how I create each episode. I also answer 25 "Ask Me Anything" questions se
384: Bob Anderson and Carl Larsen – Citizen Hero Lou Peters, Bonanno Crime Family
Retired agents Bob Anderson and Carl Larsen review the major role Lou Peters, the owner of a Cadillac dealership in Lodi, California, played in the takedown of mobster Joseph Bonanno, Sr. In 1977, Bonanno had a mob associate approach Lou Peters with an offer to buy his Cadillac dealership to launder illegal funds. Peters instead met with Bob Anderson, who was assigned the case. Carl Larsen was the
383: Harry Samit – Arresting Zacarias Moussaoui, The "20th Hijacker"
Retired agent Harry Samit reviews his investigation of Zacarias Moussaoui. Harry was assigned the case after the FBI's Minneapolis Division had been contacted by a flight school that reported its suspicions about Moussaoui, who had paid $8,000 in cash for a flight simulator course to fly a commercial Boeing 747 aircraft even though he had no background in aviation. Harry's investigation of Moussao
382: Michael Clarke and Jack McFarland – Disrupting The Commission, U.S. Virgin Islands
Retired FBI agent Michael Clarke and retired DEA agent Jack McFarland review their 2004 joint FBI and DEA investigation of "The Commission," a violent criminal gang operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands which includes St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, whose members were convicted in federal court for racketeering, murder, and drug trafficking. The case was conducted under the Organized Crime Dru
381: William Peterson – Kenya Kidnapping, Most Wanted Terrorist Sajid Mir
Retired agent William Peterson reviews two cases, his kidnapping investigation where two American businessmen in Kenya where held for ransom and his assistance in the capture and identification of terrorist Sajid Mir, a senior member of the Pakistan-based Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). Mir is on the FBI Most Wanted list for his leading role in the planning, preparati
380: James Gaylord - China's Family of Spies (Part 2) Chasing Chi
In part two of this two-part episode, retired agent Jim Gaylord reviews the resolution of his investigation and the prosecution of Chi Mak and family members as spies for the People's Republic of China (PRC). Chi was an engineer who had immigrated from Kwang-Tung, China, and was employed with a U.S. company designing sensitive U.S. military and commercial technologies. Jim was assigned to investig
379: James Gaylord - China's Family of Spies (Part 1) Chasing Chi
In part one of this two-part episode, retired agent Jim Gaylord reviews his espionage investigation and the prosecution of Chi Mak and his family members as spies for the People's Republic of China. Chi was an engineer who had immigrated from Kwang-Tung, China, and was employed with a U.S. company designing sensitive U.S. military and commercial technologies. Jim was assigned to investigate whethe
378: John Schachnovsky – FBI in Thailand, Death of Famous Actor, Frozen Body Parts
Retired agent John Schachnovsky recounts his role in the investigation of the suspicious death of the actor David Carradine, the identification of frozen body parts discovered in a freezer in Bangkok, and a fraudulent financial transaction which originated in Memphis, Tennessee, but was resolved in a local Thai bank. John wrote about these investigations and many more in his memoir, Beyond the Bad
377: Séamus McElearney - Flipping Capo, How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos
Retired agent Séamus McElearney reviews his investigation of the DeCavalcante crime family—infamously known as "the real Sopranos"—and how he convinced Anthony Capo, a violent soldier in the DeCavalcante family to become the first made member in the family's century-long history to cooperate with law enforcement. Séamus is the author of Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos. He s
376: Brian Herrick and Mike Levy – TV News Anchor Computer Hacking Case
Retired agent Brian Herrick and retired Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Michael Levy review the computer hacking investigation and prosecution of former Philadelphia CBS affiliate news anchor Larry Mendte who hacked into the email accounts of his co-anchor Alycia Lane and leaked private information about her to the media. Mendte was charged with intentionally accessing a protected computer
375: John Kuchta – 1994 DC Metro Police Headquarters Ambush (Replay)
In this encore episode of FBI Case File Review, John reviews the November 22, 1994, ambush at the DC Metro Police Headquarters where a gunman killed SAs Martha Dixon and Michael Miller, and MPD Sgt. Henry "Hank" Daly and John survived multiple gunshot wounds to the heart, liver, kidney, lung, arm and leg. For his actions that day, he was awarded the FBI Medal of Valor and U.S. Attorney General's
374: Tim Carpenter - Grave Robber, Stolen Artifacts and Burial Remains
Retired agent and former FBI art crime team leader Tim Carpenter reviews his case where 5,000 illegally collected cultural artifacts and two thousand human burial remains were seized from the Midwestern home of grave robber Don Miller. Many of the pieces in Miller's illicit collection of over 42,000 items were looted from sacred burial and cultural heritage sites around the world. Tim and his team
373: John McMurtrie – Eufaula Police Corruption, Crappy Murder Lead
Retired agent John McMurtrie reviews his police corruption investigation where drug dealers operating in Eufaula, Alabama, complained about being extorted by members of the Eufaula Police Department. The dealers cooperated and made consensual recordings that led to the arrest and conviction of a police captain, his lieutenant, and the local district attorney for the extortion scheme. John also rev
372: Steve Conley – Operation Parlor Maid, SSA JJ Smith and Asset Katrina Leung
Retired agent Steve Conley reviews his investigation of the 18-year period in which Katrina Leung, one of the Bureau's highest-paid assets, was operated by former FBI Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) James J. Smith, known as JJ. Katrina Leung's code name was Parlor Maid. Steve's investigation determined that during the time Smith was Leung's handler, not only was she actively spying for the People'
371: Carrie Landau – Justice For Desiree, Teen Sold To Trafficker
Retired agent Carrie Landau reviews her sex trafficking investigation of the man who had held sixteen-year-old Desiree Robinson against her will and trafficked her for sex on the website Backpage. Desiree was murdered by a man who answered the online advertisement. Carrie Landau served in the FBI for 21 years. During her Bureau career, she specialized in Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficki
370: Martin Suarez - Inside the Cartel, Dismantling a Colombian Narco-Empire
Retired agent Martin Suarez reviews his nearly seven-year undercover role infiltrating from inside the cartels. During Operation Colaboro, using the alias "Manny," he smuggled millions of dollars' worth of cocaine for the Medellín Cartel, all of which was seized by the FBI after delivery. During Operation Golden Trash, Martin became a high-level money launderer for the North Coast Cartel. When the
369: Jeremy Rebmann - Chronicles of an FBI Sniper, SWAT
Retired agent Jeremy Rebmann reviews three SWAT operations he took part in as a sniper on the Oklahoma City FBI SWAT team. Providing details from his book, Send Me: Chronicles of an FBI Sniper, he talks about a mission at Glass Mountain that ended in a fatality, the capture of a bank bombing suspect, and the rescue of three little girls during a SWAT operation to arrest their fugitive father. He a
368: Donnie Brasco and Joe Pistone – Family Business, Going Undercover (Part 2)
In the first half of part two of this two-part episode of FBI Case File Review, legendary undercover agent Joe Pistone and retired agent Donnie Brasco talk about why Joe chose the name "Donnie Brasco" for his alias, and how Joe felt when Donnie followed in his footsteps. Joe also talks about how he felt when he learned Donnie had applied to join the FBI, presented him with his agent credentials a
367: Donnie Brasco – Following in the Footsteps of Uncle Joe Pistone (Part 1)
In part one of this two-part episode, retired agent Donnie Brasco reviews his career navigating as an FBI agent with his infamous name and following in the footsteps of his uncle, legendary undercover agent Joe Pistone. Until now, most people were unaware of Donnie and Joe's family ties. I call it the worst-kept secret in the FBI. Joe drops in at the end of the episode to share why he chose the na
366: Thomas Larned - Orion Bank Failure, VR Labs Wire Fraud
Retired agent Tom Larned reviews two fraud cases he investigated while assigned to the Fort Myers Resident Agency out of the Tampa Division, the Orion Bank failure and the VR Labs wire fraud investigations. At the time of Tom's investigation, Orion was the largest privately owned bank in the state of Florida. The failure of the bank cost the FDIC $884 million. Tom investigated VR Labs owners Kay a
365: Brooke Plesnar - Colleyville Synagogue Hostage Standoff
Former agent Brooke Plesnar reviews the Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis, where a British national took four people hostage, including Congregation Beth Israel's rabbi. The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) was deployed. While negotiations for their safe release were underway, the hostages were able to escape unharmed. HRT engaged and killed the hostage-taker. Brooke investigated this case while
364: Raj Patel - Sri Lanka Easter Bombings 2019, Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
Retired agent Raj Patel reviews the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombing case where 8 suicide subjects inspired by ISIS detonated themselves in three large Western hotels and three churches, killing approximately 270 people, including five Americans. Raj and other members of the team won the 2021 Director Award for Most Outstanding International Investigation. He served in the FBI for 20 years. Check out
363: Tony Mozingo – McFarland Bank Fraud, Beyond the Badge
Retired agent Tony Mozingo reviews his investigation and fugitive hunt for Craig T. McFarland, a developer who defrauded banks of nearly $20 million in the late 70s and 80s. The extensive manhunt spanned multiple countries. He is the author of Beyond the Badge: One Man, Two Lives, to be published on September 12. Check out the episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwillia
362: Kathy Adams – Kidnapped Restaurant Owner
Retired agent Kathy Adams reviews the rescue of a restaurant owner who was kidnapped for ransom at gunpoint from his Champaign, Illinois, Mexican restaurant and held for five days in September 2006. Using cell site analysis during the multi-state investigation, Kathy, along with FBI agents assigned to Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin and FBI Headquarters, along with investigators from the Champaig
361: Stacey Perkins - "Nanny 69," Launch of Innocent Images Initiative
Retired agent Stacey Perkins reviews one of the very first international Innocent Images cases, the investigation of Dmitry Bron, who, using the code name "Nanny 69," ran an international internet site named the Orchild Club in Virginia Beach that offered some 15,000 images of graphic child pornography. Stacey worked and managed the Innocent Images program for over two-thirds of her FBI career. Sh
360: Robert D'Amico - Somali Pirates Fatal Hijacking of SV Quest
Retired agent Robert D'Amico reviews his involvement, as a member of the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), in a Navy SEAL's mission to rescue four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates on their sailboat The Quest, and, after the mission's deadly outcome, his capture of the pirates' shore-based negotiator. Rob's overseas deployment took place when he served as the FBI HRT's tactical liaiso
359: Katherine Schweit - Operation UNITED, Women Who Talk to the Dead
Retired agent Katherine Schweit reviews Operation UNITED, the largest coordinated exhumation of unidentified murder victims in FBI history. Detroit Police Detective Shannon Jones and FBI Special Agent Leslie Larsen spearheaded the initiative. Their primary goal was to identify the nameless dead and bring closure to families who had spent decades wondering what happened to their loved ones. Their u
358: Bryan Travers – Anabolic Steroids, Operation Raw Deal
Retired agent Bryan Travers reviews his investigation of Alfred Scarpa, for illegally selling anabolic steroids, which he manufactured and stored in the basement of his residence. The case was part of Operation Raw Deal, a nationwide DEA led investigation and take-down of individuals illegally manufacturing and trafficking anabolic steroids and its raw materials, mainly from China, along with the
357: Mark Horton – Chicago New Breed Black Gangsters, Operation Impunity
Retired agent Mark Horton reviews Operation Impunity, an undercover investigation that targeted the New Breed Black Gangsters. The street gang was based in the Square, a Chicago housing complex plagued with gang violence and an open-air drug market. The faction of the Breeds operated with impunity, committing murders and selling drugs with no fear of law enforcement. In 2004, the CPD) area 4 Gang
356: Duster HBO Max – LaToya Morgan and Rachel Hilson
On this special episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with executive producer and showrunner Latoya Morgan and lead actress Rachel Hilson about DUSTER, the new TV series from JJ Abrams and Latoya Morgan now streaming on HBO Max. Set in the 1970s Southwest, the show follows the first black female FBI agent as she takes on a crime syndicate by teaming up with a gutsy getaway driver. I'm an FBI co
355: Martin Reardon – Top Ten Predator Manhunt, LEGAT Riyadh and Doha
Retired agent Martin Reardon reviews his Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP) nationwide manhunt for a child predator wanted for the 1995 kidnapping and rape of a 9-year-old girl. Released from state prison just weeks earlier, Rickey Allen Bright had served 15 years of a life sentence for a 1979 offense involving a 6-year-old girl. Due to the heinous nature of the offense and his previous c
354: Tracey Branch – Memphis Code Enforcement Murder
Retired agent Tracey Harris Branch reviews a hate crime investigation of the murder of Memphis Code Enforcement Officer Mickey Wright, killed in the line of duty because of his race. The subject of the investigation, Dale Mardis, was a self-proclaimed racist with anti-government views. Initially, Mardis was convicted of the local murder by the state of Tennessee, which resulted in him receiving a
353: Phil Partin and Derick Smith – Missing Teen Girl, CAST
Retired agent Phillip Partin and Lubbock Police Detective Derick Smith review an abduction case where the subject threatened to expose explicit photos of a 14-year-old missing girl and harm her family, to coerce her to leave Texas and travel to Michigan with him. The FBI's Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) was called in to assist with the case. By tracking their phones, the unknown male abducto
352: Kelly Liberti – Cleveland Child Abduction, CARD Team
Retired agent Kelly Liberti-Gardner reviews her investigation to identify and apprehend the unknown male who abducted a six-year-old girl from her home and abused her before releasing her in a different neighborhood 17 hours later. Using historical cell phone analysis and familial DNA, also known as investigative genetic genealogy, the unknown male was identified. This case marked the first use of
351: Lou Calvarese and Melissa Fortunato – Undercover Wedding, Operation Royal Charm
Retired agents Lou Calvarese and Melissa Fortunato review their undercover roles in Operation Royal Charm, an investigation that used an undercover wedding ruse to dismantle an international smuggling ring bringing into the U.S. illegal drugs, cigarettes, and counterfeit $100 bills, known as North Korean "super notes," and conspiring to smuggle in weapons from North Korea as well. Task force membe
350: Mike Campi - Michael D'Urso, Mafia Takedown
Retired agent Mike Campi reviews his investigation of the Genovese crime family based on the cooperation of Michael "Cookie" D'Urso, a mafia associate who became a confidential source after he was shot in the head and left for dead. D'Urso worked with Mike Campi, recording the crimes of his fellow gangsters on a scale never seen before. Mike served in the FBI for 24 years. Check out episode show n
349: Scott Payne – Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Operation Roadkill
Retired agent Scott Payne reviews his undercover role in Operation Roadkill, an FBI Boston Division investigation targeting members and associates of the local Taunton and Brockton, Massachusetts chapters of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. In this undercover role, Scott became Scott Callaway, a Harley-loving, whiskey-drinking, site survey specialist from Texas. His two-year-long role in the case cont
348: Liz and Ed Mireles - Seven Days in Captivity, 1983 Kidnapping
Retired agents Elizabeth "Liz" Mireles and Edmundo "Ed" Mireles, Jr. review the 1983 kidnapping conspiracy case where the wife of a former Colombian Ambassador to the United States, was abducted at gunpoint from the driveway of her home near Miami. The investigation took place in Miami, Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Liz and Ed were among the hundreds of FBI agents working 24/7 to find
347: Michael di Pretoro – Evolution of the FBI's Legat Program
Retired agent Michael di Pretoro reviews his case assignments overseas as a Legal Attaché representing the FBI in Asia (Manila and Hong Kong) and Russia. As a former Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) in charge of International Operations, he also reviews the evolution of the Legat program. Mike served in the FBI for 30 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriw
346: David Gates – FBI at LAX, Airport Active Shooter
Retired agent David Gates reviews the investigation of the November 2013 Terminal 3 active shooter incident at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The shooting rampage resulted in the line of duty murder of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer Gerardo Hernandez. Two other TSA officers were wounded, along with a passenger. This episode is dedicated to TSA Officer Gerardo He
345: Tom Burg – Laser Weaponry Conspiracy
In this episode, retired agent Tom Burg reviews his domestic terrorism case about a 1970s conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government with laser weaponry. During the three-year-long case, a Wausau, Wisconsin scientist was recruited as a cooperating witness. He provided invaluable information about the activities of dangerous right-wing extremists, who included a chemist, a Wisconsin assemblyman, a
344: Constantine, Carazza, and Mancini - Boston Badge Betrayal, Police Corruption (Part 2)
In part two of this two-part episode, retired agents Kevin Constantine and Mike Carazza, along with retired Boston Police Department (BPD) superintendent Frank Mancini, review the conclusion of their joint public corruption investigation of corrupt BPD police officers involved in the protection of shipments of multi-kilogram loads of cocaine. The Miami Division SWAT team and legendary undercover a
343: Constantine, Carazza, and Mancini - Boston Badge Betrayal, Police Corruption (Part 1)
In part one of this two-part episode, retired agents Kevin Constantine and Mike Carazza, along with retired Boston Police Department (BPD) superintendent Frank Mancini, review their joint public corruption investigation of BPD police officers involved in criminal acts. The officers engaged in identity theft, drug distribution, prostitution, obstruction of justice, robbery, threats, assault and bat
342: FBI Director Christopher Wray – Interview Replay and More
FBI Director Christopher Wray recently announced he will resign from his position in January 2025. Two highlights of my post-FBI retirement career producing and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review are speaking one on one with Director Wray for the celebration of the 300th episode of FBI Retired Case File Review and having the honor of sitting next to him at the 2021 FBIAA G-Man Honors awards dinn
341: Geoffrey Kelly - Cezanne Theft and Recovery, FBI Art Crime Team
Retired agent Geoffrey Kelly reviews the FBI's elite Art Crime Team and his investigation of Robert Mardirosian for possession of stolen art and the recovery, over 30 years after the crime occurred, of a Cezanne painting valued at over $29 million and other artwork stolen during the nation's largest residential art burglary. Geoff was one of the original members of the Art Crime Team, which was fo
340: David Gates – FBI at LAX, Sexual Assault On Board Aircraft
Retired agent David Gates reviews two investigations involving sexual assaults committed on board airplanes. He also provides tips to identify and raise awareness of this safety issue on flights. David spent most of his Bureau career assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). When he retired, he was considered one of the FBI's experts in crimes on board aircraft. David Gates served i
339: George Graves – Police Custody Death of Earl Faison
Retired agent George E. Graves, Jr. reviews his investigation of five Orange, New Jersey Police Officers for the wrongful death and violation of the civil rights of Earl Faison. On April 8, 1999, Orange Police Department Officer Joyce Carnegie (RIP) was shot and killed by an armed robbery suspect she had stopped for questioning. Several days later, Faison was arrested as a suspect. He died less th
338: Jack Garcia – Undercover Legend, FBIAA Distinguished Service Honoree
Retired legendary undercover agent Joaquin "Jack" Garcia shares his thoughts about being honored on November 21, 2024, by the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) as their G-Man Honors – Salute to FBI Heroes, Distinguish Service Honoree. During a replay of his previous interview on the podcast, he reviews some of his early undercover roles and his last assignment infiltrating the New York mob as "Jack F
337: Frank Gasper - Theft of Trust Account and Mineral Rights
Retired agent Francis "Frank" Gasper, reviews his investigation of Elizabeth Kolling for trust account and elder fraud. Kolling, head of the trust department at the Dickinson North Dakota branch of the Bank of the West, had been appointed as the trustee for elderly bank clients who had no close relatives to help them manage their finances. Granted power of attorney over their trust accounts, she t
336: Kurt McKenzie – Russian Birth Tourism, Operation Miami Mama
Retired agent Kurt McKenzie reviews his Russian "birth tourism" investigation targeting boutique companies in South Florida that specialized in helping pregnant Russian mothers circumvent visa requirements to give birth in the U.S. and secure American citizenship for their newborns. Kurt McKenzie served in the FBI for 24 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://
335: Colton Seale - Tales From The Fly Team
Retired agent Colton Seale reviews his time on the FBI Fly Team and the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG). During his many deployments around the world, Colton has had assignments few Bureau employees have experienced, including being the only FBI agent to have set foot in bin Laden's compound and house. The Fly Team is a small, highly trained cadre of counterterrorism investigators—in
334: Vince Pankoke and Tom Myers – Colombian Cali Cartel, Operation Dilido
In part two of this two-part episode, retired agents Vince Pankoke, Jr. and Tom Myers continue their review of Operation Dilido, a Group I Colombian Cali Cartel undercover investigation targeting one of the most prolific drug subjects, Julio "The Gun" Correa and his Miami based lieutenant, Nando. The investigation relied on surveillance and wiretap coverage and resulted in the seizure of 12 metal
333: Vince Pankoke and Tom Myers – Colombian Cali Cartel, Operation Dilido
Retired agents Vince Pankoke, Jr. and Tom Myers review Operation Dilido, a Group I Colombian Cali Cartel drug undercover investigation targeting one of the most prolific drug subjects, Julio "The Gun" Correa and his Miami based lieutenant, Nando. The case relied on surveillance and wiretap coverage of multiple cell phones, hard lines, pagers and was one of the first investigations where the Depart
332: Bill Shute - Murder of LaToyia Figueroa, Historical Cellular Analysis
Retired agent Bill Shute reviews the investigation of the murder of LaToyia Figueroa, a high-profile crime case where Figueroa, five-months pregnant, was killed by her boyfriend and her body disposed of in Chester, PA, in July 2005. Bill worked with detectives from the PPD's homicide unit and, by analyzing cell site tower data, tracked the whereabouts of LaToyia Figueroa's boyfriend throughout the
