The FOX True Crime Podcast

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Bonus Episode: Who Are The U.S. Marshals? Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

The United States Marshals Service is a federal agency responsible for the arrests of federal fugitives. With origins dating back to the nation's beginnings, the U.S. Marshals continue to serve the country by protecting the federal judiciary. Retired U.S. Marshal Bill Sorukas discusses the history of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Program, how the group operates, and some of its high-profile cases.

After working as an undercover officer in Indiana, Bill Sorukas became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Southern District of California. He would soon become a Chief Inspector within the Investigative Operations Division. Bill also served as a Senior Fellow at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, where he helped establish the Center for the Prevention of Violence Against the Police. Now, he works as a Project Alert Consultant at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Bill was given many honors throughout his career, including the National Association of Police Organizations' "Top Cop" award for his work on the Beltway Snipers case, as well as the Attorney Generals Award for Distinguished Service for Investigative Excellence for his involvement with the investigation of Ed and Elaine Brown. In his book, Chasing Evil: Pursuing Dangerous Criminals with the U.S. Marshals, Sorukas details various high-profile cases on which he worked.

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The Hunt For The Beltway Snipers Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

In October 2002, a series of sniper attacks terrorized residents of Washington D.C. and the surrounding area. For three weeks, civilians were shot at random, sporadically injured, and killed while completing mundane activities in their day-to-day routine. As the shootings continued to unfold, people within the D.C. communities were paralyzed with fear, too afraid to step outside and live their lives. With virtually no actionable leads, law enforcement was tasked with the difficult mission of hunting down the Beltway Snipers. Retired U.S. Marshal Bill Sorukas was the Chief Inspector within the Investigative Operations Division at the time of the attacks. He shares how he became involved in the Beltway Sniper case, the sensitivity of the investigation, and how he was able to track down the shooters.

Bill Sorukas spent 28 years with the United States Marshals Service, managing program areas among various branches. For his work with the Beltway Snipers investigation, Bill was given the National Association of Police Organizations' "Top Cop" award. Sorukas now works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a Project Alert Consultant. In his book, Chasing Evil: Pursuing Dangerous Criminals with the U.S. Marshals, Sorukas details various high-profile cases on which he worked.

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Bonus Episode: The Search For Ashley Eiffert 20 Years Later Apr 13, 2023

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To everyone that knew her, Ashley Eiffert was a ray of sunshine in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. At 19 years old, Ashley was pregnant with her first child with her boyfriend at the time, Joe Hill. During one of her prenatal doctor's appointments, Ashley met a woman named Nicole Johnson. Nicole, who had just lost a child, offered to donate baby clothes and furniture to Ashley. Shortly after arriving at her house, Nicole claimed Ashley had gotten into an argument with Joe on the phone, and soon left to go to a gas station. 20 years later, Ashley's family is still looking for answers. Ashley Eiffert's cousin Madeline Ludwick discusses the details of Ashley's disappearance, her efforts to revive the investigation, and how Hurricane Katrina hindered the case's progress.

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The Infiltration Of Hells Angels: Tales Of An Undercover Agent Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club became the face of the rebellion against the status quo during the midpoint of the 20th century. Known for their leather jackets and Harley-Davidson-riding packs, the group developed notoriety for their involvement in various violent crimes, including drug trafficking, extortion, assault, and homicide. Becoming a member of the mysterious organization is a feat that's as difficult as it is dangerous. Retired ATF Special Agent Jay "Jaybird" Dobyns discusses his involvement in a two-year-long undercover operation to infiltrate Hells Angels, the dangers he faced during his assignment, and how he was able to bring justice by taking down some of the most dangerous members.

After conducting over 500 undercover investigations spanning over 20 years, Jay Dobyns retired from his career with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. For his bravery and service, Dobyns has been decorated with numerous awards, including the ATF Distinguished Service Medal for Outstanding Investigative Accomplishment, the International Narcotics Officers Association Medal of Valor, the National Association of Police Officers "Top Cop" Award, and the U.S. Attorney General's Medal of Valor. In his best-selling book, No Angel, My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels, Dobyns details his treacherous mission of infiltrating Hells Angels.

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Bonus Episode: How A Secret Service K-9 Protected The President Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

One of the Secret Service's greatest assets is its K-9 units. The teams consist of highly-trained Belgian Malinois and their handlers, who together, detect and prevent threats while providing the highest levels of protection to the country's political leaders. One K-9 hero, Hurricane, was recognized for his immense bravery when protecting President Obama and the first family from an intruder who jumped the White House fence.

Retired U.S. Secret Service Special Operations Officer and Hurricane's Handler Marshall Mirarchi discusses how he became involved in the Secret Service's K-9 SWAT unit, the story of Hurricane's heroism, and how his nonprofit organization, K-9 Hurricane's Heroes, works to ensure subsidized veterinary care to retired law enforcement and military dogs.

Recognized for the fearlessness exhibited when protecting the President, Hurricane received honors including the Secret Service's Award for Meritorious Service, the Department of Homeland Security's Secretary's Award for Valor, the Animal Medical Center in New York City's Top Dog Award, and Great Britain's PDSA Order of Merit. Hurricane was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, making him the first dog to ever receive the award.

After retiring from the Secret Service, Marshall Mirarchi founded K-9 Hurricane's Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing Handlers with the financial resources needed to ensure that retired law enforcement and military dogs receive medical care after their retirement.

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Buyer Beware: The Secrets Of A Former Art Forger Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

The art of Ken Perenyi is remarkable, but it's extremely difficult to detect which pieces are his. As a teenager, Ken entered New York City's art scene, admiring famous pieces alongside artists and celebrities alike. Feeling inspired to learn the craft, he taught himself how to paint. Ken soon learned that not only was he a talented artist, but a talented forger as well. With his remarkable ability to reproduce the art of well-known painters, Ken began a 34-year career of forgery, tricking some of the world's most famous art experts along the way.

Author of Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger Ken Perenyi discusses how he discovered his talent, how he was able to dupe some of the world's most well-known galleries, and the close encounters he had with the FBI throughout his career.

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Bonus Episode: The Challenges Of Solving Missing & Exploited Children Cases Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

In missing person cases, the first 48 hours is the most important window for the beginning of the investigation. However, complications between state and local police can be an obstacle to bringing federal agencies onto the case. Former Secret Service Special Agent and Liason to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Jeffrey James explains the function and purpose of NCMEC, how the federal government is activated when a missing persons case occurs, and the challenges he's faced throughout his career working on these types of crimes.

In 1996, Jeffrey James was sworn in as a United States Secret Service Special Agent, beginning his 22-year-long career within the federal government. During his time in the Secret Service, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge and also served as the Liason to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Now, he works as the President of Capitol Security Consultants, as well as the Chief of Police at Robert Morris University.

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The Yosemite Park Murders: A Serial Killer's Confession Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

On February 15th, 1999, Carole Sund, her 15-year-old daughter Juli, and 16-year-old family friend Silvina Pelosso went missing from their motel room during a trip to Yosemite National Park. An intensive search ensued as law enforcement searched for the trio. The bodies of Carole and Silvina would later be found charred in the shell of their burnt rental car, with Juli's remains to be discovered separately just days later. Horror would again strike Yosemite months later when 26-year-old Joie Armstrong was found murdered near her cabin. Two days later, law enforcement tracked down Cary Stayner, the man responsible for the string of crimes. Former FBI Agent Jeffrey Rinek was the lead investigator on the case. He shares details from the investigation, as well as how he was able to obtain a confession from Stayner himself.

More about Jeff:

Jeffrey Rinek retired from the FBI after 30 years of service. Throughout his career, Rinek worked on active and cold cases related to crimes against children. In 2003, Rinek received the California Sexual Assault Investigators Association Investigator of the Year Award, making him the first FBI agent to be given the title. In 2006, he was given the International Homicide Investigators Association Award for Excellence. In his book, In the Name of Children, Rinek details some of the cases that defined his career, as well as the impact they had on him. Jeff is also the author of In the Name of the Children: An FBI Agent's Relentless Pursuit of the Nation's Worst Predators.

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The Downfall Of Pablo Escobar: Real Life Narcos Part 2 Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

During his reign of terror, Pablo Escobar was feared not only by Colombians but by people across the world. The lives of police, politicians, journalists, rival gangs, and innocent civilians were lost during his notorious acts of violence at the height of his cocaine smuggling career. Former DEA Special Agents Javier Peña and Steve Murphy were tasked with the impossible mission of taking down Escobar and his deadly cartel. In part two of this story, the duo details the capture and final moments of the notorious drug lord, Pablo Escobar.

Steve Murphy was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his law enforcement career, including the “DEA Special Agent of the Year Award,” the “DEA Administrator’s Group Achievement Award,” the “Director’s Award” from DOJ’s OCDETF Program, the “Distinguished Service Cross” from the Republic of Colombia (first time presented to a non-Colombian official), and the “International Award of Honor” from the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

For his efforts, Javier Peña received Colombia’s highest award given to someone, not a Colombian citizen, as well as commendation awards from the DEA and the international community. Additionally, the U.S. Government honored Javier in 2010 with the Presidential Rank Award in 2010, awarded to exceptional career Senior Executive Service (SES) members and Senior Career Employees.

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The Rise Of Pablo Escobar: Real Life Narcos Part 1 Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Pablo Escobar was one of the world's richest and most dangerous men at the height of his drug smuggling career. Capitalizing on the rise in demand for cocaine within the 70s and 80s, Escobar formed the infamous Medellin Cartel to traffic large shipments of the drug across international borders. Escobar was feared across his home country of Colombia due to his ability to take down any of his adversaries. Although he seemed untouchable, two brave Americans were tasked with the mission of bringing down the murderous kingpin. Former DEA Special Agents Javier Pena and Steve Murphy discuss their careers in law enforcement, their work within the war on drugs, and the manhunt for Pablo Escobar.

Steve Murphy was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his law enforcement career, including the "DEA Special Agent of the Year Award," the "DEA Administrator's Group Achievement Award," the "Director's Award" from DOJ's OCDETF Program, the "Distinguished Service Cross" from the Republic of Colombia (first time presented to a non-Colombian official), and the "International Award of Honor" from the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

For his efforts, Javier Peña received Colombia's highest award given to someone, not a Colombian citizen, as well as commendation awards from the DEA and the international community. Additionally, the U.S Government honored Javier in 2010 with the Presidential Rank Award in 2010, awarded to exceptional career Senior Executive Service (SES) members and Senior Career Employees.

Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno

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