Crime Junkie

Sometimes we see our legal system as black or white. Innocent or Guilty. But there is a technical gray area. Room for someone to plead guilty while still maintaining their innocence. And this is only possible because of a precedent set in the case against a man named Henry Alford more than half a century ago.

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/precedent-henry-alford/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

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Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

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Join Brit and the founder of Safe from Online Sex Abuse (SOSA), Roo Powell, and learn about the incredible work SOSA is doing, how to stay safe online, and how any Crime Junkie parents can best support their children against the monsters of the internet.

• For more information on SOSA, please visit sosatogether.org. Follow them on Instagram @sosatogether!

If you or a loved one is struggling with online sexual abuse or exploitation, please consider the following resources:

• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) Take It Down
• NCMEC CyberTipline, or call 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
• FBI Tipline, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)
• SOSA Resources
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), or call 1-800-656-4673 for a 24/7 hotline
• Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 support

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/expert-on-safety-from-online-sex-abuse/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two harrowing stories – those of Asia Anderson and Walker Montgomery – illustrate how the rising digital threat of sextortion can impact anyone and forever change lives.

• If you believe you have been a victim of sextortion by Buster Hernandez, AKA Brian Kil, AKA Purge of Maine, and or any of the usernames listed here, you can contact the Indianapolis FBI Office at 317-595-4000 or submit the information to https://tips.fbi.gov/home.

Resources:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Find information and tips to help keep children safe. Also available in Spanish.
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): CyberTipline: Report incidents of child sexual exploitation, including sextortion; Phone: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678); Website: www.missingkids.org
• Take It Down:A free service offered by the NCMEC that can help to remove or stop the online sharing of sexually explicit images or videos taken of victims before they were 18 years old.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for support and resources.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for U.S. professionals.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: Operated by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), which offers support for survivors of sexual assault and abuse, in partnership with local providers nationwide. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or visit the online chat hotline or the Spanish online chat hotline.
• Safe from Online Sex Abuse (SOSA): A nonprofit that raises awareness about and combats online child sex abuse and exploitation.
• Crisis Text Line: A free, 24/7 text service for people in crisis. Text "HOME" to 741741 in the United States.
• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI): Provides resources for dealing with non-consensual pornography (revenge porn) and online harassment.
• NetSmartz: NCMEC's Online Safety Program provides resources, videos, and educational materials to teach children, teens, and parents about online safety.
• Thorn: An organization dedicated to combating the sexual exploitation of children. Get help by texting "THORN" to 741741 to confidentially speak with a trained counselor.
• StopCyberbullying.org: Offers information and resources on how to prevent and respond to cyberbullying and online harassment:
• LoveisRespect.org: Provides resources for teens and young adults dealing with dating abuse and unhealthy relationships. Call 1-866-331-9474 / 1-800-787-3224 (TTY), text "LOVEIS" to 22522, or chat online.
• Stalking Resource Center: Provides information and resources on stalking and online harassment.

Staying Safe:

Anyone who uses the internet risks encountering people who wish to cause harm. But you can take certain measures to lower the chances of this happening to you or your children.

• Don’t share explicit images or videos with strangers online. Don’t send or post any pictures of yourself online that you wouldn’t show your grandmother or boss. Assume that once something is online, you have no control over its distribution.
• Be extremely cautious about sharing personal, sensitive or intimate information online. Restrict the information you share on social media and adjust privacy settings to limit who can view your posts.
• Maintain open lines of communication with your children. Make sure they know that they won’t get in trouble if they experience online abuse. This way, they'll feel more at ease reaching out for help if something happens.
• Educate yourself, your children, and your community (especially young people) about online safety, including the risks of sharing explicit content and engaging in intimate conversations with strangers.
• Consider limiting your children’s internet use or spot-check their phones and other devices. Start by selecting appropriate apps and websites, and establish guidelines for access. Open discussions and including them in decisions can build trust and responsibility. Utilize parental control features. Keep tabs on the people your children are communicating with; this can be part of an open and ongoing conversation about what is (and isn’t) appropriate online. It also may be worth considering a rule against devices in bedrooms overnight or shutting off Wi-Fi access after a certain time.
• Treat online interactions with the same skepticism as you would with strangers in real life. Help your children learn to have a healthy skepticism of strangers online and identify red flags that they may not be who they claim. SOSA recommends making this lesson interactive by creating a fake profile together, which will help them truly see how easy it is for someone to fake their identity. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also has resources, videos, and games to help younger children and teens understand online risks.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security. When not in use, turn off devices - especially those with cameras, microphones, or webcams - to prevent unauthorized access. Don’t click on links in e-mails from people you don’t know.
• If someone exhibits concerning behavior, threatens you, or asks for explicit content, report them to the platform administrators and, if necessary, law enforcement.

Grooming warning signs

What to know about online abuse and trauma

Ways to prevent grooming

What to do when a predator contacts your child

Get Help:

If you, your child or a loved one becomes a victim of sextortion, try to remain calm. Remember, sextortion is a crime, and the predator is to blame, not your child or you.

• Do not comply with the sextortionist’s demands, whether they involve sending more explicit content, money, or anything else. Giving in to their demands rarely stops the harassment and can lead to more serious problems.
• Save all conversations, chats, or messages exchanged with the sextortionist. Do not delete your profiles or the messages exchanged. If financial demands are involved, document any transactions made. Record any telephone numbers, email addresses, usernames and profiles you might have received from the person. This evidence can be crucial for any potential investigations or legal actions.
• Many resources advise blocking the perpetrator, but SOSA recommends waiting until law enforcement advises you to do so, because blocking the person could result in losing access to their information.
• Contact law enforcement right away. Reporting the incident is key to stopping the perpetrator and getting help. Contact your local law enforcement or local FBI field office. You can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.
• If a minor is involved, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or report online sex abuse to NCMEC's CyberTipline.
• Reach out to a trusted adult or friend for emotional support and guidance. If you don’t feel that you have adults in your corner, you can reach out to NCMEC for support at [email protected] or call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
• If you or your child is struggling emotionally due to the incident, consider seeking professional help from therapists or counselors specializing in trauma or cyberbullying.
• Get it removed. Most social media platforms, websites, and apps have mechanisms to flag inappropriate content. Some platforms offer customer support that you can reach out to directly. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's "Take It Down" program helps remove images of minors. Visit cybertipline.org to get NCMEC’s help or https://www.missingkids.org/isyourexplicitcontentoutthere  to learn how to notify companies.
• Report it, because if someone threatens to share explicit images of you, they’re likely also threatening others.

Red Flags:

Remember that these red flags should not be taken in isolation. It's important to consider the overall context and the combination of behaviors you observe. Trust your instincts – if something feels off or uncomfortable, it's better to be cautious and seek advice or report the situation to appropriate authorities.

• Rapid Escalation: Be cautious if an online relationship becomes very intense or personal too quickly. Sextortion perpetrators often try to establish an emotional connection rapidly to gain trust and manipulate victims.
• Emotional Manipulation: Watch out for attempts to emotionally manipulate you, such as playing on your feelings of loneliness or insecurity, asking you to keep secrets, and making you follow rules about your interactions.
• Pressure and Coercion: Any form of pressuring, guilt-tripping, or coercing you into doing something you're uncomfortable with, including sharing explicit content, is a red flag.
• Explicit Content Requests: If someone you're communicating with online asks for explicit photos, videos, or personal information, it's a major red flag. Legitimate relationships should be built on trust, respect, and consent.
• Threats and Demands: Any form of threat, whether it's about exposing compromising material or causing harm to you or your loved ones, should be taken seriously.
• Reluctance to Meet in Person: If the person you're communicating with avoids meeting in person or provides excuses to not reveal their identity, this could indicate ulterior motives.
• Platform Switching: If someone initiates contact on one platform but pressures you to move conversations to another platform, especially if it offers increased privacy or anonymity, exercise caution. Perpetrators often aim to control the environment.
• Inconsistent Identity: If the person's stories, photos, or details about their life don't align or seem inconsistent, it could indicate a fake identity. Images and videos can be altered or stolen, and don't assume they're proof of someone's identity.
• Too Good to Be True: While compliments are normal, excessive flattery might be a tactic to manipulate emotions and lower defenses. Be cautious of individuals who offer gifts, money, job opportunities, or promises that seem too good to be true.
• Unwillingness to Share Personal Information: If the person avoids sharing their own personal details and only focuses on obtaining your information, it's a potential sign of manipulation.

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/bwbrsa-sextortion/

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An ASU student comes home one afternoon in 1997 to find her roommate, Fiona Yu, clinging to life in their shared apartment. She had been sexually assaulted, beaten, and left for dead. Though DNA evidence was left at the scene, the case goes cold. When other attacks of young women in the area are reported and their cases closed, there is hope that a connection will shed light on Fiona’s.

• If you would like to check out The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence by Gavin De Becker, please visit this link.
• To learn more about Season of Justice, please visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-fiona-yu/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When 23-year-old Beth Barnard is found murdered in her home, investigators immediately suspect a woman named Vivienne Cameron, whose husband had been having an affair with Beth. But the more investigators – and the wider public – dig into the mystery, the less the puzzle pieces seem to fit together. 

• If you would like to purchase Vikki Petraitis’ and Paul Daley’s book, “The Phillip Island Murder,” please visit this link!
• If you or someone you know if experiencing thoughts of suicide, support can be reached by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/conspiracy-phillip-island-part-2/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When 23-year-old Beth Barnard is found murdered in her home, investigators immediately suspect a woman named Vivienne Cameron, whose husband had been having an affair with Beth. But the more investigators – and the wider public – dig into the mystery, the less the puzzle pieces seem to fit together.  

• If you would like to purchase Vikki Petraitis’ and Paul Daley’s book, “The Phillip Island Murder,” please visit this link!
• If you or someone you know if experiencing thoughts of suicide, support can be reached by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/conspiracy-phillip-island-part-1

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two 17-year-old girls set off one summer night in 1999 for a high school field party, excited to mark the end of summer with friends. But when they never make it to the party… or back home… the search is on.

• If you want to check out Isabel’s nonprofit, Genealogy for Justice, please visit their website!

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-jb-beasley-tracie-hawlett/

You can learn more about The Good segment and even submit a story of your own by visiting The Good page on our website!

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The sudden disappearance of the manager at an Off-Track Betting parlor has his family, friends, and the police convinced he's met with foul play at the hands of someone he knows.
 

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-bruce-blackwood/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reed Jeppson, a Salt Lake City teen, went outside to feed his dogs one Sunday afternoon in 1964 and vanished, with the dogs, into thin air. Decades later, his heartbroken family still has so many unanswered questions. 

If Reed is alive today, he is 74 years old. He’s white, with medium blond hair and blue eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was 5'6" and 140 pounds, and he had braces on his top and bottom teeth. 

• If you have any information about Reed, please contact Salt Lake City police at 801-799-3000
• For suicide prevention resources, please visit: CDC Suicide Risks and Protective Factors.
• If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide, emotional support can be reached by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full life of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/missing-reed-jeppson/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After nearly 50 years as East Haven, Connecticut’s Jane Doe, police have finally identified the murder victim found behind Bradlees Department Store as 18-year-old Patricia Newsom. Now, they need your help to catch her killer – or killers. 

• If you have any information about Patricia Newsom, call East Haven police at 203-468-3824.
• Join the FindPatriciaNewsom Facebook group for updates.
• For information on how to upload your DNA profile to GEDmatch, please visit the GEDmatch website.

Check out the following links for guides and tip sheets on what to do when a loved one goes missing: 

• Missing Persons Primer – The Center for Hope
• Missing Persons Guide – Missing Persons Advocacy Network
• Finding a Missing Loved One – National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Missing Persons Checklists 1 & 2 – IHaveVanished.com
• Missing-Child, Emergency-Response, Quick-Reference Guide for Families
• Missing Child Clearinghouses (every state)
• Resources for Families of Missing American Indian and Alaska Native Adults
• When Your Child Is Missing: A Family Survival Guide
• Cuando su Niño está desaparecido: Una guía de supervivencia familiar
• Social Media Guidebook for Families of Missing and Runaway Children
• ​What to do if your child is missing – Peas In Their Pods
• Missing Persons Checklist - Colorado Bureau of Investigation
• Someone I Know is Missing – Kansas Bureau of Investigation
• Virginia Missing Person Family Resource Guide
• Missing people: A guide for family members and service providers (Australia)
• What to do when someone goes missing (UK)
• What if the Police Won't Investigate my Case?

Other organizations: 

• National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
• DOE Network
• Anti-Predator Project
• Private Investigations for the Missing
• Community United Effort (CUE) Center for Missing Persons
• Find Me Group

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-patricia-newsom/

You can learn more about The Good segment and even submit a story of your own by visiting The Good page on our website!

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkie.app/library/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

• Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
• TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
• Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Text Ashley at (317) 733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.