The Bank Robber, The Fugitive, The Pilot, and The Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.
The Bank Robber, The Fugitive, The Pilot, and The Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.
The Bank Robber, The Fugitive, The Pilot, and The Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.
This story shrouded in mystery, involves a Texas prison escapee that could be ripped straight from a spy novel.
Bank robber and suspected drug smuggler Charles J. Woods of Dallas made a daring escape from a Texas prison and subsequently disappeared into the realm of the Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.
In my exclusive interview with fugitive hunter Louis Fawcett, we unravel the threads of Woods' escape to the mysterious town of Mena, Arkansas.
The town's small airport in the Quachirta mountains was the base of operations for Barry Seal, a notorious drug and arms smuggler known for his connections to the CIA and narco Pablo Escobar.
What was Charles Woods, a pilot, doing using the alias Richard Arthur Mills on a government identification card at the Naval Ammunition Depot in Oklahoma?
Sit back and listen to this fugitive’s tale from the world of crime, mystery, and intrigue.
Links to Stories about the Eastham Prison Unit
You can hear more about Bonne and Clyde in my April 11th, 2023 episode The Enduring Fascination of Bonnie and Clyde: A Love Story Gone Wrong.
You can hear just how tough Eastham was from David Stacks, one of its former wardens, in my November 28th, 2023 episode, Hard Time In Hell Among Texas Most Dangerous Prisoners.
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True Crime Reporter
In an era where sensationalism often trumps substance, the True Crime Reporter® podcast offers a bracing alternative—a meticulously crafted, investigative lens focused on the intricacies and nuances of criminal cases that grip public consciousness. Created and hosted by Robert Riggs, a Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter based in Dallas, Texas, the podcast peels back the layers of high-profile criminal investigations, offering an unprecedented level of detail and insight.True Crime Reporter® is not merely a recitation of facts and timelines. Drawing upon exclusive interviews with experts, from law enforcement agents to forensic psychologists, Riggs dives into the complexity and gravity of each case. He explores not just the "what" and the "who" but the often elusive "why" behind criminal acts, meticulously unraveling the sociopolitical threads that often inform them. The narrative richness of the podcast is underscored by its ethical rigor. Riggs goes beyond the superficial to offer a humanized portrait of both victims and perpetrators, challenging listeners to confront their preconceptions and biases. Ethical dilemmas are dissected, moral quandaries are probed, and the limitations of the criminal justice system are laid bare. The podcast serves another crucial role: that of a public educator. True Crime Reporter® acts as a manual for crime prevention, with Riggs offering invaluable tips to listeners on safeguarding themselves in various situations. The podcast serves as both a repository of true crime stories and a platform for actionable advice—a dual role that has made it a staple for those who seek to understand the labyrinthine world of criminal justice.By seamlessly blending storytelling, investigative reporting, and public education, True Crime Reporter® transcends the limitations often associated with the genre. It stands as an epitome of what true crime reporting can, and should, aspire to be—a nuanced, thoughtful, and ethically responsible exploration of the darkest corners of the human experience.True Crime Reporter® distinguishes itself not just through meticulous storytelling but also through a well-deserved litany of accolades. The recognition extends beyond mere critical acclaim; industry leaders have taken note. Claire Graves, Executive Director of The Webby Awards in 2020, commended the podcast as a beacon of "innovation and creativity on the Internet," spotlighting it from among nearly 13,500 entries spanning 50 states and 70 countries. Such endorsement is more than a mere laurel; it's a testament to the podcast's capacity to both educate and captivate.But True Crime Reporter® isn’t confined to auditory storytelling. Riggs parlayed the podcast into a five-part streaming television series titled Freed To Kill, which premiered on Fox Nation in March 2022. This lauded series was honored with a 2022 Silver Telly Award just two months after its release, reflecting its excellence in documentary filmmaking. In his roles as both Executive Producer and principal storyteller, Riggs weaves an intricate narrative fabric, drawing from exhaustive interviews with investigators, victims' families, and key players.The series exposes how serial killer Kenneth McDuff was paroled from prison under a cloud of corruption. It has drawn praise from journalism stalwarts. Retired CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer, who appeared in Freed To Kill, succinctly encapsulated its impact, stating: "This is the story of pure evil, and you told it well."Tune in to the True Crime Reporter® podcast for an experience that's as intellectually challenging as it is emotionally impactful. Each episode is a journey into the heart of darkness—and a quest for the elusive light of truth.Join Podchaser to...
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