In this explosive episode of Honor Among Thieves, host Nelson Rodriguez Jr. sits down with Aaron Peila, a man at the center of a massive federal RICO kingpin case involving over 60,000 oxycodone pills, $3 million in money laundering, and one of the most notorious prisons in the United States — USP Victorville.

Aaron was indicted federally while already serving state time in Nevada for a felon-in-possession firearm case. What followed was a 12-year federal sentence and a direct transfer to USP Victorville, widely regarded as the most dangerous federal prison yard in the country.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Aaron breaks down what life is really like inside Victorville — from constant lockdowns and racial politics, to the gang structure, yard rules, and the brutal reality of having to “put in work” just to survive. Aaron explains how he was selected as the shot caller for the independent white inmates, what that responsibility actually means, and the deadly consequences that come with leadership inside a high-security federal prison.

The episode reaches its most intense moment when Aaron directly confronts Nelson about cooperation, forcing a real-time, honest conversation about snitching, survival, accountability, and redemption. Nelson addresses his past head-on, explaining his side of the story in a moment rarely seen in the true-crime podcast space.

This episode is not glorification — it’s contrast. A firsthand look at how RICO laws, conspiracy charges, and the federal prison system destroy lives long after the sentence is handed down.

If you’re interested in true crime, federal prison, RICO cases, drug trafficking, organized crime, and what really happens after the indictment — this is an episode you can’t miss.

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 – Introduction | From RICO Kingpin Case to USP Victorville

3:01 – Childhood of Crime & the Road to the Streets

14:25 – Opiates, Drug Trafficking & Moving to Las Vegas

23:05 – Catching a Federal Case | How the Feds Build RICO Charges

28:45 – Indicted While in Prison | Facing Federal Charges Behind Bars

38:01 – Inside USP Victorville | Life on the Most Dangerous Federal Yard

45:04 – Becoming a Shot Caller | Prison Politics & “Putting in Work”

57:16 – Release From Federal Prison | Life After a 12-Year Sentence

1:01:10 – Aaron Confronts Nelson About Cooperation | The Snitching Conversation

1:08:59 – Federal Mind Games | How Prosecutors Pressure Defendants

1:15:53 – Is All Cooperation the Same? | Gray Areas of Snitching

1:23:34 – Redemption, Accountability & Moving Forward After Prison

🎙️ About Honor Among Thieves

Honor Among Thieves is a true crime podcast featuring reformed criminals, former gang members, ex-federal inmates, law enforcement, and victims, offering firsthand insight into organized crime, prison life, drug trafficking, and the criminal underworld.

📌 Have an unbelievable story? Apply to be a guest:

👉 https://www.honoramongthievespodcast.com/guest

🔗 Links

📸 Nelson on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/montanatheprophet/

📸 Aaron on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/aaronpeila/

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https://federalprisontips.com/honor/

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