388: Jerry Spurgers – Disappearance and Murder of Federal Witness, Death Crime Scenes
Release Date: 02/18/2026
411: John Pi – RaisetheFist.com Cyber Intrusion Case, FBI Agent and ER Doctor
FBI Case File Review
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 the intent that such information be used in furtherance of a federal crime of violence. John Pi is also a board-certified emergency physician. As the first FBI agent and doctor, he pioneered the...
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410: Wayne Barnes – The Hunt for a Russian Mole in the FBI
FBI Case File Review
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 American Film Market, an industry sales and marketing event held in California. Wayne went undercover as a representative for wealthy Texans looking to invest in films. He secured Ivan’s trust and...
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409: John Kingston - Soldier of Fortune Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy Case
FBI Case File Review
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 verdict against the magazine for negligent publication. John Kingston served in the FBI for over 21 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: Join my...
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408: Sheldon Fung – Abrin Biotoxin For Sale, Weapons of Mass Destruction Case
FBI Case File Review
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 biotoxin to kill others. Malcolm was also convicted of the unlawful dealing of explosives and firearms. Sheldon Fung served in the FBI for 21 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and...
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407: Barry Colvert – John Walker Spy Ring Case, Early Days of FBI Polygraphs
FBI Case File Review
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 one of the most damaging losses and compromises to national security ever investigated. Barry got confessions from John Walker and his brother Arthur, and interrogated co-conspirators Jerry Whitworth...
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406: Tom Ropel – American Al Qaeda Member, Adam Gadahn Indicted for Treason
FBI Case File Review
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 threatened attacks on major U.S. cities, called 9/11 payback for American crimes, and encouraged Muslims in the West to kill Americans. Dr. Thomas Ropel, Ph.D., served in the FBI for 21 years. ...
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405: Kerri Reifel – 30-Year Child Murder, 16-Year BAU Case, Who killed April Tinsley?
FBI Case File Review
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 the Indianapolis Division and member of the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team (CARD), and then as a certified profiler in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU-3) Crimes Against Children program....
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404: Shawn Johnson and Steven Meyers – How to Rob a Bank, The Hollywood Bandit
FBI Case File Review
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 with Hollywood-quality makeup and prosthetic facial features. They robbed 19 banks. However, when surrounded by members of the Seattle Division’s Puget Sound Violent Crimes Joint Task Force while...
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403: Eric Robinson – Solicitation for Murder of Federal Judge
FBI Case File Review
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 Award for his work on this matter. He served in the FBI for over 23 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource -...
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402: Brian O’Hare and Sean O’Brien - Chattanooga Terrorist Attack, ERT Crime Scene
FBI Case File Review
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. Marines were shot and killed at the scene, and a U.S. Navy sailor died at a hospital two days later. A police officer was wounded. The gunman was killed by responding police during the firefight....
info_outlineRetired 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 the Little Rock Division’s Evidence Response Team and an experienced death investigator, he also reviews the steps taken to collect evidence at a murder or accidental death. Jerry is the author of Murder at Midnight: The FBI's Battle with Violence and Drugs in a Small Southern Town, a true crime book about the investigation. He served in the FBI for 24 years.
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