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# True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard

Documentary-style investigations. Overlooked cases. Verified   sources.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://truecrimeunheard.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [True Crime Articles: Case Research, Analysis & Court Documents](https://truecrimeunheard.com/articles/) - In-depth articles on crime cases, court document analysis, ethical true crime practices, and investigative research from TrueCrimeUnheard.com.
- [Respecting Victim Families in True Crime: Best Practices](https://truecrimeunheard.com/true-crime-victim-families/) - Behind every true crime case is a real family experiencing ongoing grief. How true crime content treats these families—whether they're consulted, portrayed accurately, and considered throughout coverage—determines whether content serves the public interest or exploits tragedy. This guide examines best practices for respecting crime victims and their families in true crime coverage, drawing from journalism
- [Crypto Fraud in Small Town America](https://truecrimeunheard.com/crypto-fraud-small-town/) - How do crypto fraud schemes devastate small towns? Court documents reveal how cryptocurrency scams exploit community trust and destroy local economies.
- [How to Use PACER for True Crime Research: Step-by-Step Tutorial](https://truecrimeunheard.com/pacer-tutorial-true-crime-research/) - Learn how to search PACER for federal court records. This step-by-step guide shows you how to find case documents for true crime research.
- [Victim-Centered Storytelling: A Framework for True Crime](https://truecrimeunheard.com/victim-centered-storytelling-framework/) - Learn how to tell true crime stories that honor victims. A practical framework for storytelling that prioritizes dignity over sensationalism.
- [How Murder-for-Hire Investigations Work](https://truecrimeunheard.com/how-murder-for-hire-investigations-work/) - Learn how the FBI investigates murder-for-hire cases, from initial tips through undercover operations to conviction.
- [Linus Thuston Perjury Trial: One Acquittal, Two Hung Juries Leave Prosecution Uncertain](https://truecrimeunheard.com/linus-thuston-perjury-trial-verdict-2025/) - Former Kansas prosecutor Linus Thuston found not guilty on one perjury count, jury deadlocked on two others. Full trial analysis from court documents.
- [Hospice Fraud: How Medicare Gets Exploited](https://truecrimeunheard.com/hospice-fraud-cases/) - How does hospice fraud work? Learn about Medicare hospice exploitation schemes, how investigators catch them, and what court records reveal about these cases.
- [The Investigative Journalism Approach to True Crime](https://truecrimeunheard.com/investigative-journalism-true-crime/) - How do investigative journalists approach true crime differently? Learn the professional standards that distinguish journalism from entertainment.
- [Famous Murder-for-Hire Cases in History](https://truecrimeunheard.com/famous-murder-for-hire-cases/) - Examining famous murder-for-hire cases reveals consistent patterns in how these plots form, fail, and lead to prosecution. Court record analysis.
- [Understanding Federal Indictments: What They Reveal About Cases](https://truecrimeunheard.com/understanding-federal-indictments/) - Learn how to read and interpret federal indictments. Understand what these charging documents reveal about criminal cases and investigation findings.
- [The Problem with True Crime Entertainment](https://truecrimeunheard.com/problem-true-crime-entertainment/) - What's wrong with true crime entertainment? Examining how exploitation, speculation, and sensationalism harm victims and distort justice.
- [Plea Agreements: What They Reveal About Cases](https://truecrimeunheard.com/plea-agreements-explained/) - What do plea agreements reveal about criminal cases? Learn how to read federal plea deals and understand what defendants admit to prosecutors.
- [Celebrity Scams: When Famous Names Get Used](https://truecrimeunheard.com/celebrity-scams/) - How do scammers use celebrity names for fraud? Court documents reveal how impersonation schemes exploit fame and trust to steal from victims.
- [When Murder-for-Hire Goes Wrong](https://truecrimeunheard.com/murder-for-hire-fails/) - Why do murder-for-hire plots almost always fail? Court documents reveal the consistent patterns that lead to failed attempts and federal prosecution.
- [Respecting Victim Families: Best Practices](https://truecrimeunheard.com/respecting-victim-families/) - How should true crime content respect victim families? Practical guidelines for covering cases ethically while honoring those affected by violence.
- [Affinity Fraud: When Trust Becomes a Weapon](https://truecrimeunheard.com/affinity-fraud-cases/) - How does affinity fraud exploit community trust? Court documents reveal how perpetrators use shared identity to steal from their own communities.
- [Sentencing Memorandums: The Story Behind the Sentence](https://truecrimeunheard.com/sentencing-memorandums/) - What do sentencing memorandums reveal about criminal cases? Learn how to read these documents that explain why defendants receive specific sentences.
- [The Psychology of Hiring a Hitman](https://truecrimeunheard.com/psychology-hiring-hitman/) - What motivates someone to hire a hitman? Court documents reveal the psychological patterns and rationalizations behind murder-for-hire solicitations.
- [What Makes True Crime Ethical vs Exploitative?](https://truecrimeunheard.com/ethical-vs-exploitative-true-crime/) - What makes true crime ethical or exploitative? A practical framework for evaluating content based on methodology, purpose, and victim treatment.
- [How Federal Investigators Track Financial Crimes](https://truecrimeunheard.com/tracking-financial-crimes/) - How do federal investigators trace financial crimes? Court documents reveal the techniques used to follow money trails from fraud to prosecution.
- [Undercover Operations in Murder-for-Hire Cases](https://truecrimeunheard.com/undercover-murder-hire-operations/) - How do undercover operations work in murder-for-hire cases? Court documents reveal the techniques FBI agents use to build airtight prosecutions.
- [Court Transcripts: Reading Between the Lines](https://truecrimeunheard.com/reading-court-transcripts/) - What do court transcripts reveal about criminal cases? Learn how to read trial records and find the details that explain case outcomes.
- [How to Consume True Crime Responsibly](https://truecrimeunheard.com/consume-true-crime-responsibly/) - How can you consume true crime content responsibly? Practical guidance for thoughtful engagement with crime media that respects victims.
- [Ponzi Schemes vs Pyramid Schemes: Whats the Difference?](https://truecrimeunheard.com/ponzi-vs-pyramid-schemes/) - What's the difference between Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes? Court documents explain how each fraud type works and why the distinction matters.
- [State vs Federal Cases: Understanding the Difference](https://truecrimeunheard.com/state-vs-federal-cases/) - What makes a crime federal instead of state? Learn how jurisdiction is determined and why some cases go to federal court.
- [Legal Penalties for Soliciting Murder](https://truecrimeunheard.com/legal-penalties-murder-hire/) - What are the penalties for soliciting murder? Federal sentencing guidelines for murder-for-hire, even when no one is harmed.
- [Red Flags: Identifying Exploitative True Crime Content](https://truecrimeunheard.com/red-flags-exploitative-true-crime/) - How do you identify exploitative true crime content? Warning signs that content prioritizes shock value over substance and victim dignity.
- [The Anatomy of Wire Fraud: How Federal Cases Are Built](https://truecrimeunheard.com/anatomy-wire-fraud/) - How do wire fraud prosecutions work? Court documents reveal how this versatile federal statute is used to prosecute financial crimes.
- [How Investigators Build Federal Cases](https://truecrimeunheard.com/building-federal-cases/) - How do federal investigators build criminal cases? Court documents reveal the process from initial suspicion through grand jury indictment.
- [Warning Signs: When Someone May Be Planning Murder](https://truecrimeunheard.com/warning-signs-murder-planning/) - What are the warning signs that someone may be planning murder-for-hire? Court documents reveal behavioral patterns that preceded solicitation attempts.
- [True Crime for Criminal Justice Professionals](https://truecrimeunheard.com/true-crime-criminal-justice-professionals/) - How can criminal justice professionals use true crime as an educational resource? Quality content offers case studies in investigation, prosecution, and ethics.
- [White Collar Crime Sentencing: What Determines the Punishment?](https://truecrimeunheard.com/white-collar-crime-sentencing/) - What determines white collar crime sentences? Court documents reveal how federal judges calculate punishment for financial crimes.
- [Public Records for True Crime Researchers](https://truecrimeunheard.com/public-records-true-crime-research/) - How do you access court documents and public records for true crime research? A practical guide to finding primary sources for case research.
- [How Prosecutors Prove Murder-for-Hire](https://truecrimeunheard.com/proving-murder-for-hire/) - What evidence do prosecutors need to prove murder-for-hire? Court documents reveal how federal cases are built from solicitation to conviction.

## Pages

- [Home](https://truecrimeunheard.com/) - The true crime podcast focused on cases mainstream media missed. Every story is sourced from court documents. Victim dignity always comes first. Listen now.
- [Court Document True Crime Research: The Complete Guide](https://truecrimeunheard.com/court-document-true-crime/) - Master court document true crime research with this complete guide. Learn to use PACER, read federal indictments, and build cases from primary sources.
- [About the Host](https://truecrimeunheard.com/about/) - Meet Steve Rhode, host of True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard. 30 years investigative journalism, former police dispatcher, and documentary podcaster.
- [Contact Us](https://truecrimeunheard.com/contact/) - Contact Steve Rhode at True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard. Submit case suggestions, media inquiries, or questions about the documentary true crime podcast.
- [Federal Financial Crime: How Investigators Uncover Fraud Schemes](https://truecrimeunheard.com/federal-financial-crime-cases/) - How federal investigators uncover fraud schemes using court documents, evidence trails, and prosecution strategies in financial crime cases.
- [Privacy Policy](https://truecrimeunheard.com/privacy/) - Privacy policy for True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard. We collect email addresses for episode updates only. No spam. No selling data. Unsubscribe anytime.
- [Terms of Service](https://truecrimeunheard.com/terms/) - Terms of service for True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard podcast and website. Guidelines for respectful engagement with documentary true crime content.
- [Legal Disclaimer](https://truecrimeunheard.com/legal/) - Legal disclaimer for True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard. Information about content accuracy, temporal context, and educational purpose of podcast episodes.
- [Subscribe to the Podcast](https://truecrimeunheard.com/subscribe/) - Subscribe to True Crime Cases You Haven't Heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more. Overlooked cases. Court documents. Documentary journalism.
- [The Complete Guide to Ethical True Crime](https://truecrimeunheard.com/ethical-true-crime-complete-guide/) - Learn what ethical true crime means and why victim-centered storytelling matters. A framework for content that respects everyone involved.
- [Murder-for-Hire: Inside Contract Killing Investigations](https://truecrimeunheard.com/murder-for-hire-cases/) - Inside contract killing investigations. How law enforcement catches those who hire hitmen using undercover operations, surveillance, and recorded evidence.

## Episodes

- [The Fake Federal Agents: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-fake-federal-agents-a-true-crime-case/) - A crew impersonating DEA agents kidnapped and tortured a Naperville businessman. Built from 15 court documents. The full case you haven't heard.
- [The Price List: Alan Filion's True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-price-list-alan-filions-true-crime-case/) - Alan Filion ran a swatting-for-hire service called Torswats — 375+ calls, a Telegram price list, AI voices. Built from 20 federal court documents.
- [An Unsafe Box: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/an-unsafe-box-a-true-crime-case/) - Peter Karasev — PhD engineer, Amazon subsidiary ML scientist, $250K salary — bombed two PG&E transformers in San Jose while his three children slept. Built from 78 federal court documents.
- [$120,000 Juror Bribe in a Hallmark Bag: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/120000-juror-bribe-in-a-hallmark-bag-a-true-crime-case/) - Five Feeding Our Future defendants stalked a 23-year-old juror and delivered $120,000 in a Hallmark bag. She called 911. Built from federal court documents.
- [Mercenary Craig Lang Killed for Venezuela: True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/mercenary-craig-lang-killed-for-venezuela-true-crime-case/) - Craig Lang killed a Florida couple to fund a mercenary trip to Venezuela — then fled to Ukraine. Two life sentences. Built from federal court records.
- [Christina Chapman's North Korea Laptop Farm: A Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/christina-chapmans-north-korea-laptop-farm-a-crime-case/) - Christina Chapman ran a North Korea laptop farm from suburban Arizona — 90 laptops, 68 stolen identities, $17.1M funding nuclear weapons. Built from 402 pages of federal court documents.
- [Hassan Elliott Killed a Cop He Never Saw: A Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/hassan-elliott-killed-a-cop-he-never-saw-a-crime-case/) - Hassan Elliott fired 16 rounds through a closed door, killing SWAT Sgt. James O'Connor. Built from federal court documents. Four murders. 75 years.
- [Joe Mack's $547 Million Merchant Cash Advance Lie: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/par-funding/) - "Joe Mack" raised $547M from investors. His real name was Joseph LaForte — a twice-convicted felon. Built from court documents. Now serving 15½ years.
- [Inside a Serial Fraudster's Playbook: Clemency for a Con Man](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/inside-a-serial-fraudsters-playbook-clemency-for-a-con-man/) - How does a convicted fraudster get released early—then immediately start scamming again? Inside the methods of a serial Ponzi schemer.
- [Jensen's Patients Felt Everything: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/addicted-dentist/) - Dr. Phillip Jensen stole fentanyl from 99 patients, replaced it with saline. Built from federal court records. 15 years, FCI Lompoc.
- [5-Time Felon Refused to Kill Raul Mena: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/5-time-felon-refused-to-kill-raul-mena-a-true-crime-case/) - Three Alabama sisters hired a felon to kill their brother-in-law. She called the FBI instead. Built from federal court documents, Case 1:24-cr-00077.
- [Firefighter Sean Williamson Killed for $400K Insurance](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/sean-williamson-arson-murder/) - Lt. Sean Williamson died in a building collapse caused by arson for a $400,000 insurance payout. Built from 466 pages of federal court documents.
- [William Woods Told the Truth About His Identity. They Jailed Him and Put Him in a Psych Ward.](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/william-woods-told-the-truth-about-his-identity-they-jailed-him-and-put-him-in-a-psych-ward/) - William Woods told the truth about his identity. They jailed him for 428 days and put him in a psych ward. Built from federal court documents.
- [He Kidnapped His Own Attorney: The Story of Putt](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/he-kidnapped-his-own-attorney/) - 79-year-old Putnam Richardson kidnapped the attorney who defended him on kidnapping charges 40 years earlier. Built from federal court documents.
- [Badges for Sale: Did the Sheriff Get Away With It? You Decide](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/badges-for-sale-did-the-sheriff-get-away-with-it-you-decide/) - A Virginia sheriff sold deputy badges to wealthy businessmen. FBI undercover agents caught it all on tape. Did Sheriff Scott Jenkins get away with it?
- [How a Kansas Banker’s Crypto Mistake Destroyed a Town](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/how-a-kansas-bankers-crypto-mistake-destroyed-a-town/) - A Kansas banker wired 7M to crypto scammers, destroying his town\'s only bank. Shan Haynes believed he was investing. He was being conned.
- [Betrayal of Justice: The Linus Thuston Story](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/betrayal-of-justice-the-linus-thuston-story/) - Kansas prosecutor Linus Thuston allegedly exploited 50 women over decades while accountability systems failed. A case of power, corruption, and justice delayed.
- [The Lobster Trap Murder – How a Boat Trip Ended in Death](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-lobster-trap-murder-how-a-boat-trip-ended-in-death/) - James Dao was lured onto a fishing boat by friends. Five miles offshore, they shot him and sank his body. The ocean returned him with the evidence.
- [The Savior Who Wasn’t: How This Predator Hid in Plain Sight](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-savior-who-wasnt-how-this-predator-hid-in-plain-sight/) - For 30 years, he was called a saint who saved Haitian orphans. In 2025, Michael Geilenfeld was sentenced to 210 years for child exploitation.
- [The Dollars Over Death Hospice Fraud Scam](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-dollars-over-death-hospice-fraud-scam/) - A 75-year-old hospice owner stole 0.6M from Medicare by enrolling patients who weren\'t dying. The Magnolia Gardens hospice fraud investigation.
- [When You Kidnap the Wrong Person](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/when-you-kidnap-the-wrong-person/) - Detroit gang members kidnapped and tortured a woman for 10 hours over a crime she didn\'t commit. Seven convicted. The case of mistaken street justice.
- [Overlooked in Plain Sight: The Green River Killer](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/overlooked-in-plain-sight-the-green-river-killer/) - Gary Ridgway confessed to 48 murders. The Green River Killer evaded capture for 20 years while police had his DNA. How did they miss him?
- [Godson to a Trafficker: Why a Decorated Federal Agent Protected His Drug-Dealing Santeria Priest](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/godson-to-a-trafficker-why-a-decorated-federal-agent-protected-his-drug-dealing-santeria-priest/) - Explore how trust was betrayed as decorated agent Crespo enabled oxycodone trafficking, leading to innocent victims' deaths.
- [The Graceland Scam: How Lisa Findley Nearly Stole Elvis's Estate](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-elvis-presley-scam-that-almost-worked-how-lisa-findley-nearly-stole-graceland-with-forged-documents/) - Discover how Lisa Findley's elaborate scheme nearly stole Graceland using forged documents, fake identities, and clever deception in 2024.
- [THE CELL: Inside Negasi Zuberi’s Concrete Prison | Episode 1: The Escape](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-cell-inside-negasi-zuberis-concrete-prison-episode-1-the-escape/) - She escaped a concrete cell by punching through metal until her hands bled. The 911 call that exposed Negasi Zuberi\'s prison in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
- [THE CELL: Inside Negasi Zuberi’s Concrete Prison | Episode 3: The Reckoning](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-cell-inside-negasi-zuberis-concrete-prison-episode-3-the-reckoning/) - Two consecutive life sentences. A California judge warned him in 2021. Two years later, he built the cell. The judge's prophecy: "Time will tell."
- [THE CELL: Inside Negasi Zuberi’s Concrete Prison | Episode 2: The Blueprint](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-cell-inside-negasi-zuberis-concrete-prison-episode-2-the-blueprint/) - Police ignored evidence in May. Two months later, Negasi Zuberi\'s concrete cell was ready. How a serial predator built his prison in plain sight.
- [The Instagram and TikTok Murder Plot: Ashley Grayson](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-instagram-and-tiktok-murder-plot-ashley-grayson/) - Ashley Grayson, a Dallas influencer, was sentenced to 10 years for hiring hitmen to kill her ex-boyfriend, business rival, and TikTok critic.
- [The Designer Who Went to Prison – Part 2: The Reckoning](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-designer-who-went-to-prison-part-2-the-reckoning/) - A 71-year-old designer sentenced to prison. The retailers who sold her smuggled bags? No charges. Three truths about justice—all real, none reconcilable.
- [The Designer Who Went to Prison – Part 1: The Empire](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-designer-who-went-to-prison-part-1-the-empire/) - Fashion designer Nancy Gonzalez built an empire with exotic handbags—then went to prison. The retailers who sold them? No charges. Was justice served?
- [What You Don’t Hear on Wednesday Morning](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/what-you-dont-hear-on-wednesday-morning/) - Behind every Wednesday episode: 20-60 hours of court documents, two decades of emergency response experience, and one rule—victim dignity above all.
- [The Wrong Target Again and Again – How a Murder-for-Hire Went So Wrong](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-wrong-target-again-and-again-how-a-murder-for-hire-went-so-incredibly-off-the-rails/) - Discover how a deadly murder-for-hire conspiracy unfolded in Alabama, with suspects documenting their crimes on social media—think you know true crime? Wrong.
- [They Were Hiking Friends. Then She Ordered the Hit.](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/they-were-hiking-friends-then-she-ordered-the-hit/) - A hiking friendship turned deadly when Melody Sasser paid Bitcoin to a dark web hitman. The prosecutor says even she doesn't know why.
- [Field of Schemes: Everyone Loved Him. Nobody Knew Him.](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/field-of-schemes-everyone-loved-him-nobody-knew-him/) - 3 days after sentencing, he was dead. Randy Constant's $142M organic fraud destroyed an industry. True crime case built from federal court records.
- [The Whistleblower Who Had 48 Hours to Live: True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/the-whistleblower-who-had-48-hours-to-live-true-crime-case/) - Eliud Montoya was murdered 48 hours after exposing a $3.5M labor trafficking scheme. Built from 3,090 pages of federal court documents.
- [Brandy Odom's Killer Studied Dexter: A True Crime Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/brandy-odoms-killer-studied-dexter-a-true-crime-case/) - Cory Martin strangled Brandy Odom and dismembered her body to collect $200,000 in life insurance. Built from federal court documents and trial testimony.
- [The SWIPE GOD Rapper Who Convicted Himself: Check Fraud Case](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/fraud-academy/) - Hunter Hudson Jr. named his album "SWIPE GOD" while running a $2M check fraud ring. Built from federal court documents and his own confession video.
- [John Walker's Frankenstein Helicopters - Bodies Falling From the Sky](https://truecrimeunheard.com/episodes/hansen-helicopters-frankenstein-aircraft-fraud/) - John Walker built deadly "Frankenstein helicopters" that killed 10 pilots. Built from federal court documents. 405 months in prison.

## Case Types

- [Homicide](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/homicide/) - Homicide podcast episodes. Murder investigations examined through court transcripts, police reports, and forensic evidence.
- [Financial Crime](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/financial-crime/) - Financial crime podcast episodes. Fraud schemes, Ponzi cases, and white-collar crime investigations from court documents and federal records.
- [Serial Offender](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/serial-offender/)
- [Abuse of Power](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/abuse-of-power/) - Abuse of power podcast episodes. Cases of corruption, misconduct, and betrayal of public trust documented through court records.
- [Sexual Assault](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/sexual-assault/)
- [Abduction](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/abduction/) - Abduction podcast episodes. Kidnapping cases investigated through court documents, FBI affidavits, and law enforcement records.
- [Murder for Hire](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/murder-for-hire/) - Murder-for-hire podcast episodes. Contract killing cases built from FBI affidavits and court documents. Documentary true crime about those who hire hitmen.
- [Behind the Scenes](https://truecrimeunheard.com/case-type/behind-the-scenes/)

## Locations

- [Lancaster, California](https://truecrimeunheard.com/location/lancaster-california/)
- [Naperville, Illinois](https://truecrimeunheard.com/location/naperville-illinois/)