FBI Retired Case File Review

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 members immediately arrested guests arriving in chauffeured limousines to Lou and Melissa's wedding. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/351-lou-calvarese-and-melissa-fortunato-undercover-wedding-operation-royal-charm/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/350-mike-campi-michael-durso-mafia-takedown/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL  Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 contributed to the arrest and conviction of numerous individuals on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. Scott served in the FBI for nearly 23 years.  Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/349-scott-payne-outlaws-motorcycle-club-operation-roadkill/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 the kidnapping victim before her abductors made good on their threat to kill her.   Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/348-liz-and-ed-mireles-seven-days-in-captivity-1983-kidnapping/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams     Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL      Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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://jerriwilliams.com/347-michael-di-pretoro-evolution-of-the-fbis-legat-program/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 Hernandez. David Gates served in the FBI for 21 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/346-david-gates-fbi-at-lax-airport-active-shooter/   Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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, and a Guatemalan deputy defense minister. Tom served in the FBI for 32 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/345-tom-burg-laser-weaponry-conspiracy/   Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/  

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 agent Jack Garcia took part in the takedown of the Boston Group II Undercover Operation. This episode is dedicated to the late Giraldo “Gerry” Bermudez, one of the primary undercover agents in this case. RIP.   Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles:  https://jerriwilliams.com/344-constantine-carazza-and-mancini-boston-badge-betrayal-police-corruption-part-2/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL      Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 battery, insurance fraud, and most prominently the protection of shipments of multi-kilogram loads of cocaine.    The investigation utilized consensual recordings by a cooperating witness, a Title III Group II Undercover Operation, and 17 undercover agents, including legendary undercover agent Jack Garcia. This episode is dedicated to the late Giraldo “Gerry” Bermudez, one of the primary undercover agents for the case. RIP.   Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/343-constantine-carazza-and-mancini-boston-badge-betrayal-police-corruption-part-1/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/  

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 dinner. I’m reposting my interview with Director Wray to recognize his years of service to our government, seven as the director of the FBI. After the interview, I share my thoughts about the future of the FBI, and retired agent Jerome Lorrain reads his FBI director qualifications wish list.  Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles:  https://jerriwilliams.com/342-fbi-director-christopher-wray-interview-replay-and-more/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 founded in 2004. He served in the FBI for 28 years. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/341-geoffrey-kelly-cezanne-theft-and-recovery-fbi-art-crime-team/ Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 in the FBI for 21 years.    Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/340-david-gates-fbi-at-lax-sexual-assault-on-board-aircraft/       Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams     Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL      Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/  

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 than an hour after being in police custody. Further investigation determined that Faison was not responsible for Officer Carnegie’s murder.   George Graves was nominated for the prestigious FBI Director’s award for his successful resolution of the case, a highlight of his career. He served in the FBI for 24 years.    Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/337-george-graves-police-custody-death-of-earl-faison/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams     Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL      Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 Falcone," where, after gaining the trust of mobster Greg DePalma, Jack was able to penetrate the Gambino crime family for nearly three years. Jack played his undercover role so convincingly that he was proposed for membership in La Cosa Nostra. Jack Garcia served in the FBI for 26 years.  Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/338-jack-garcia-undercover-legend-fbiaa-distinguished-service-honoree/       Support the FBIAA’s two charitable funds by texting FBIAA to 50155 or visit the FBIAA Ways to donate page: https://fbiaa.org/ways-to-donate   Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 took advantage of her position and stole money and mineral rights from her clients. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/337-frank-gasper-theft-of-trust-account-and-mineral-rights/         Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/    

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://jerriwilliams.com/336-kurt-mckenzie-russian-birth-tourism-operation-miami-mama/     Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/  

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—including special agents and intelligence analysts—based at FBI Headquarters who stand ready to deploy anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice. After his time on the Fly Team, Colton led the development of the Interview & Interrogation (I&I) training for the HIG, which is recognized as bringing science into the art of interviewing. Colton Seale served in the FBI for 22 years.   Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/335-colton-seale-tales-from-the-fly-team/       Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams     Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL      Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 chlorine cylinders filled with millions of dollars of cocaine. Vince Pankoke was one of Operation Dilido case agents, along with retired agents Enrique (Henry) Mercadal and Martin Suarez. Tom Myers was a new agent assigned to assist on the case. Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/334-vince-pankoke-and-tom-myers-colombian-cali-cartel-operation-dilido-part-2/ Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL  Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 Department Of Justice requested roving T-III wiretap intercepts from microphones placed within vehicles. Vince Pankoke was one of Operation Dilido case agents, along with retired agents Enrique (Henry) Mercadal and Martin Suarez. Tom Meyers was a new agent assigned to assist on the case.  Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles:      Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams   Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL    Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/

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 day she disappeared, as well as his journey that evening to Chester, PA. Bill Shute’s expert witness testimony was one of the first times the FBI presented historical cellular data as evidence in court. In the second part of the episode, Bill reviews the development of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST). Contact Bill at https://apexcellularexperts.com/ Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles: https://jerriwilliams.com/332-bill-shute-murder-of-latoyia-figueroa/   Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL  Check out my FBI books, non-fiction and crime fiction, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/