On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me, Author and Retired DEA Special Agent Léo Silva, for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.

Leo Silva spent over twenty-eight years on the frontline of the global war on drugs as a special agent with the DEA. Leo’s journey took him from the alleyways of Fronton Street to some of the most dangerous corners of North America, leading high-impact investigations against the Zeta and Gulf Cartels.

He served as the Resident Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Monterrey office, overseeing complex, cross-border operations that resulted in hundreds of high-value arrests and multi-million-dollar asset seizures. Over the course of his decorated career, he also held leadership roles in McAllen, Texas, and Guadalajara, Mexico—pioneering collaborative missions with Mexican authorities and helping rewrite the playbook for modern narco enforcement.

Now, Leo has turned his attention to storytelling. His debut memoir, Reign of Terror, offers a powerful, unfiltered look at the reality behind the headlines—a world of corruption, courage, and the personal cost of justice. The book has gained traction internationally and has been translated into Spanish for a Latin American release.

Leo is the real deal. This is a guy who has worked undercover numerous times in America and went after some of the most dangerous Mexican drug cartels. Please enjoy my chat with Leo Silva.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· I would like to thank Chris Feistl for setting up this intro. If you'd like to check out my interview with Chris, a retired DEA agent with a compelling story to share, head over to episodes 217 and 218.

· How he got interested in a career with the DEA.

· How playing golf in high school helped his future career in the DEA.

· Serving mobsters in a restaurant where he worked as a kid.

· Being a full-time musician before joining the DEA.

· You were one of the only Spanish speakers when you were an agent in Texas?

· Being a new DEA agent and going undercover buying heroin.

· How he kept his sanity and your identity while doing UC work.

· Some of the scariest moments as an undercover agent?

· Going to work in Mexico as a DEA agent attempting to shut down ruthless drug cartels.

· His relationship with the often corrupt Mexican police and how difficult it was to extradite criminals.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Head on over to Leo's website to learn more about him and his work.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.

Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a text

Have you ever known someone who is a bit off? It could be a boss, co-worker, or your significant other. It can start with someone too good to be true, filled with charm and fake empathy. Then, they begin to show their true colors by controlling, manipulating, and destroying your life, or worse, ending it. Well, today we are going to be talking about psychopaths and how we can hopefully identify the red flags and protect ourselves from these predators. My guest on the show, Kerrie Droban, is an expert in psychopathy, studying this phenomenon, being recognized as an expert consultant on criminal pathology, and writing her newest book, Surviving a Psychopath: In Court. In Life. In “Love.”

Kerrie Droban is a bestselling author, lawyer, public speaker, true crime television host and journalist seen on Netflix, 20/20, and ID TV, and host of her own podcast, Crime Stands Still.

Kerrie draws on her personal experience being in relationships with partners who exhibited psychopathic traits and being a capitol defense attorney representing inmates on death row for years.

Please enjoy part one of my interview with Kerrie Droban that I guarantee will send chills up your spine and give you some diagnostic tools to help you recognize a psychopath before it’s too late.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· Kerrie Droban being the original ‘spy kid’ having both parents as CIA operatives and spending her youth living in Africa.

· How she balances being a bestselling author, lawyer, public speaker, true crime television host seen on Netflix, 20/20, and ID TV, and host of her own podcast, Crime Stands Still.

· How she suggests others break into show business.

· What is the definition of a psychopath, and how many has she known?

· Are all psychopaths predators?

· How do we spot the traits of a psychopath, and why do we sometimes choose to ignore them?

· Why do humans choose to ignore their intuition?

· Gavin de Becker’s book, The Gift of Fear.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Please visit Kerrie's website to learn more about her and her newest book, Surviving a Psychopath: In Court. In Life. In “Love.”

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a text

Welcome back everyone for the conclusion of my interview with former Ventura Chapter President of the Hells Angels, George Christie. But first a disclaimer. I do not and never have condoned criminal behavior. I was a cop for 25 years and my heart is with the men and women who enforce the law and bring criminals to justice.

That being said, I wanted to bring you the listener/viewer a different kind of perspective. One from an unapologetic outlaw living out the last chapters of his life (who knows, maybe he will live to a 100). I think it’s good to see both sides of the coin. I may not agree with everything he says or stands for, but we can sit down and have a civilized conversation, something that is desperately missing in today’s society, I think.

So, my guest on today’s show George Christie, has spent some time in prison and was the president of the Ventura Chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club from 1978 to 2011. In 2011 he walked away from the Hells Angels and resigned his membership. A short time later the club turned their backs on him and considered him in ‘bad standing’ which is a kick in the gut for someone who dedicated his life to the outlaw club. It’s kind of like it never happened.

George’s life is like something out of a movie. He has gone to war with rival bike gangs like the Outlaws and Mongols and has had at least two contracts out to kill him. He was in the hotseat on the news show 60 Minutes where he was grilled by Mike Wallace. He spent a year in solitary confinement and also carried the Olympic torch for the 1984 games in Los Angeles and even had a blowup with the Kennedy’s.

One thing is for sure, George is not boring. Please enjoy the conclusion of my interview with George Christie.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· His 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace and Mike flirting with his wife.

· FBI informant Anthony Tate.

· His time in jail / prison and the effects of being in solitary confinement for a year.

· The difference between the Hells Angels now and when he was leading a charter?

· The hit television show Sons of Anarchy. What he and other Angles thought of David Labrava (Happy Lowman), Rusty Coones (Rane Quinn), Sonny Barger (Lenny Janowitz), and Chuck Zito (Frankie Diamonds) being on the show?

· His stormy relationship with Sonny Barger.

· Everything, including your patch, motorcycle, and even jewelry is club property?

· Is it still a straight, white male club? What are females’ roles in the club? Old Ladies?

· What about fake Angels? If I get a counterfeit patch and decide to ride my bike in Hells Angels territory, what should I expect?

· How he wound up quitting the Hells Angles.

· Being the spokesman for the Hells Angels.

· Riding a motorcycle is moving Zen.

· The book, Exile From Front Street.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Ride over to George's website to learn more about him and his books!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a text

I wanted to start the show today with a disclaimer. I do not and never have condoned criminal behavior. I was a cop for 25 years, and my heart is with the men and women who enforce the law and bring criminals to justice.

That being said, I wanted to bring you, the listener/viewer, a different perspective. One from an unapologetic outlaw living out the last chapters of his life (who knows, maybe he will live to a 100). I think it’s good to see both sides of the coin. I may not agree with everything he says or stands for, but we can sit down and have a civilized conversation, something that is desperately missing in today’s society, I think.

So, my guest on today’s show George Christie, has spent some time in prison and was the president of the Ventura Chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club from 1978 to 2011. In 2011 he walked away from the Hells Angels and resigned his membership. A short time later, the club turned their backs on him and considered him in ‘bad standing,’ which is a kick in the gut for someone who dedicated his life to the outlaw club. It’s kind of like it never happened.

George’s life is like something out of a movie. He has gone to war with rival bike gangs like the Outlaws and Mongols and has had at least two contracts out to kill him. He was in the hot seat on the news show 60 Minutes, where he was grilled by Mike Wallace. He spent a year in solitary confinement and also carried the Olympic torch for the 1984 games in Los Angeles and had a blowup with the Kennedys.

One thing is for sure: George is not boring! Please enjoy part one of my interview with George Christie.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· Lessons learned from coming from an immigrant family.

· Joining the Marines and later working for the Department of Defense.

· Deciding to devote his life to the Hells Angels.

· The process and initiation for becoming a Hells Angel.

· How George was elected club president in a short amount of time.

· Being the spokesman for the Hells Angels.

· There is nothing more important to a member of the Hells Angels than the club. Everything else takes a back seat. How did he function like that? There is work, spirituality, marriage, kids, and friends. They all play second fiddle if you’re an Angel.

· Carrying the Olympic torch. Feuding with the Kennedys/Shriver’s and winning!

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Ride over to George's website to learn more about him and his books!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a text

Welcome back for the conclusion of my interview with Professor, bestselling Author, and Retired ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns. If you're enjoying this episode, you'll love my interview with ATF Special Agent Ken Croke from episode 120, where he chats about his deep undercover mission taking down the outlaw motorcycle gang, The Pagans. I thought it would be interesting to get a different perspective on these clubs by interviewing the former president of the Ventura Hells Angels, George Christie. That interview will go live next Sunday!

Jay Dobyns spent over two decades as a federal agent embedded in the dark heart of America’s violent crime, participating in more than five hundred undercover missions targeting gun runners, narcotics traffickers, explosives manufacturers, murder-for-hire schemes, and vicious gangs.

Jay’s most infamous case—a landmark infiltration of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang—changed the face of undercover work forever, earning him international recognition.

Jay’s story is more than headlines and danger. It’s about the cost of service to others, the toll on identity, family, and mental health, and how to rise from it stronger.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· Attempting to be a good dad and father, while you were undercover. How did you and your family deal with all of that?

· Sunny Barger, who he was and Jay’s relationship with him.

· What kind of bike the ATF gave Jay. Why only Harleys or maybe Indians?

· Mafia on two wheels?.

· What is the filthy few?

· What happened at Laughlin?

· His informant, Pops, and Black Biscuit.

· Deep undercover, the effects on him and his family. ATF help? Debrief after the case?.

· How did you leave UC work??

· A surfing Hells Angel?

· How close he came to losing his own identity.

· His advice for someone who wants to do deep UC work.

· The book, No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels. Why write it and how did the process of writing the book affect him?

Learn more about Jay Dobyns and his books on his website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a text

Do I have a treat for all of you! On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Professor, Bestselling Author, and Retired ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.

Jay Dobyns spent over two decades as a federal agent embedded in the dark heart of America’s violent crime, participating in more than five hundred undercover missions targeting gun runners, narcotics traffickers, explosives manufacturers, murder-for-hire schemes, and vicious gangs.

Jay’s most infamous case—a landmark infiltration of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang—changed the face of undercover work forever, earning him international recognition.

Jay’s story is more than headlines and danger. It’s about the cost of service to others, the toll on identity, family, and mental health, and how to rise from it stronger.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· Thank you Steve Gould over at the Things Police See Podcast for the intro.

· Acknowledgement of Jay’s wife and kids, who are the heroes of this story.

· Almost playing in the NFL.

· Jay’s intense desire to work undercover.

· The role and value of undercover work in law enforcement.

· His first foot chase and how it ended.

· Taken hostage as a rookie ATF agent?

· Getting shot point blank and surviving a sucking chest wound.

· The aftermath of almost being killed.

· When he started to feel invincible.

· Fifteen years of being an undercover ATF agent specializing in illegal narcotics, explosives, and guns before going after the Hells Angels.

· The murder of Cynthia Garcia at the hands of Hells Angels members.

· Path to the Hells Angels. Hang around, prospect, and full patch. The rules, bylaws, and procedures of the Hells Angels.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Learn more about Jay Dobyns and his books on his website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a text

Welcome, everyone, to a special bonus edition of the Cops and Writers Podcast. A few weeks back, it was my pleasure to be a guest on the Ireland Crimes and Mysteries Podcast hosted by the wonderful Nules Ní Chleirigh. Being a child of two Irish immigrants, I jumped at the opportunity to be on her show. Her podcast is recorded over in the Emerald Isle in County Tipperary. I had so much fun talking to her about American policing and the differences between how we do things here in the US and how it is done over in Ireland. Please enjoy my conversation with the most wonderful Nules on the Ireland Crimes and Mysteries Podcast.

Check out the Ireland Crimes and Mysteries Podcast website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.