Locked In with Ian Bick

Leroy Ebron is back for his 6th and final episode of Locked In with Ian Bick — and he's saving the wildest Rikers Island stories for last. As a former correction officer on one of the most notorious jail complexes in America, Leroy has spent his career in the middle of chaos: riots, gang wars, and the day-to-day madness of life inside Rikers. #RikersIsland #PrisonStories #CorrectionsOfficer #JailStories #LockedInWithIanBick #PrisonLife #COStories #LeroyEbron #truecrimepodcast Follow Leroy Ebron's YouTube Show here: https://www.youtube.com/@LeroyEbronHouse If you want more stories from Leroy check out our past episodes here: 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Km9Q7ED-WU 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIyagmqDFJw 3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj8xxxMOlsQ 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf7QvSQ1k5c 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXhToIoT28 Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Leroy Ebron's Return

01:21 Promoting Leroy's New Channel

02:45 Audience Feedback & Story Authenticity

03:55 Wild Stories from the Bing in the 80s

05:23 Mouse Pets and Prison Life Memories

06:51 Legendary Inmates & Prison Culture

09:07 Girls' Prison Fights & Shocking Incidents

15:55 Female Officers and Prisoner Reactions

18:34 Encounters with Giant COs & Inmates

24:03 The 500lb Inmate Saga

31:06 Mess Hall Madness & Standing Up to Brass

36:46 Fight Nights, Boxing Gloves & Discipline

43:05 Helping Inmates & Old Prison Stories

47:06 Full Circle Moments After Prison

48:21 The Russian Inmate & TV Room Drama

52:54 Lessons on Respect & Prison Justice

56:04 Grand Finale & Farewell Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Leroy Ebron is back for his 6th and final episode of Locked In with Ian Bick — and he’s saving the wildest Rikers Island stories for last. As a former correction officer on one of the most notorious jail complexes in America, Leroy has spent his career in the middle of chaos: riots, gang wars, and the day-to-day madness of life inside Rikers.

00:00 Introduction & Leroy Ebron's Return

01:21 Promoting Leroy's New Channel

02:45 Audience Feedback & Story Authenticity

03:55 Wild Stories from the Bing in the 80s

05:23 Mouse Pets and Prison Life Memories

06:51 Legendary Inmates & Prison Culture

09:07 Girls' Prison Fights & Shocking Incidents

15:55 Female Officers and Prisoner Reactions

18:34 Encounters with Giant COs & Inmates

24:03 The 500lb Inmate Saga

31:06 Mess Hall Madness & Standing Up to Brass

36:46 Fight Nights, Boxing Gloves & Discipline

43:05 Helping Inmates & Old Prison Stories

47:06 Full Circle Moments After Prison

48:21 The Russian Inmate & TV Room Drama

52:54 Lessons on Respect & Prison Justice

56:04 Grand Finale & Farewell

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Skyler Ray grew up in Vancouver, Washington, facing abandonment, foster homes, and homelessness by the age of 18. What followed was years of drinking, drug abuse, and a severe dope addiction that left him in and out of jail and prison throughout his 20s. #PrisonStories #AddictionRecovery #HomelessToHope #LifeAfterPrison #DrugAddiction #RedemptionStory #FosterCareSurvivor #secondchances Connect with Skyler Ray: Website : Www.officialskylerray.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ej83SgCPP/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialskylerray?igsh=aGNyMWwzczdmdjIy&utm_source=qr Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KjuJzM3UL0mikvc9oCTVo?si=2oRIrVSZSga96WKJbk6Cww YouTube: https://youtube.com/@skylerray?si=RcGFG2WwaVR2amXH Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps:

00:00 Skyler Ray's Dark Years & Introduction

00:47 Locked In Podcast Beginnings

01:37 Road to Recovery Tour & Spreading Hope

04:07 Giving Back Through Music and Recovery

07:07 Skyler's Difficult Childhood & Foster Care

14:09 Moving In With Dad & Early Teen Challenges

17:39 Abandonment, Attention Seeking, and School Life

22:05 Homelessness as a Teenager

25:48 Addiction, Street Life & Paranoia Park

29:45 Homeless Addicts: Myths & Realities

33:31 Doing Whatever It Takes for Drugs

36:26 The Harsh Cycle: Jail, Addiction & Recovery

42:09 Jail Psychosis, Paranoia & Dark Stories

46:00 Wild Tales from Behind Bars

50:55 Life on the Chain Gang & Dorm Drama

53:45 Jail, Prison, & the Desire for Change

56:33 Deciding to Get Sober for Music & New Perspective

01:00:23 Building a New Life: Boundaries and Accountability

01:02:44 Why Recovery is So Hard

01:03:28 Rebuilding Through Music After Sobriety

01:09:02 Meeting Kayla & Leveling Up Musically

01:12:00 Getting Hepatitis C & Overcoming Shame

01:14:39 Family Relationships & Setting Boundaries

01:17:31 Lessons to Younger Self & Final Reflections Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Louis Ruggiero grew up in New York City with privilege and connections — his mother, Rosanna Scotto, is a famous Fox News anchor, and his father is an attorney. But behind the perfect image, Louis was spiraling into addiction. College introduced him to Xanax, which quickly led to harder drugs, arrests, and trouble that was often swept away by his family's influence. His life took a shocking turn when a close friend confessed a murder to him, forcing Louis to testify in a high-profile trial. In this interview, Louis reveals his struggles with drugs, what it was like to be caught up in a murder case, and how he's working to turn his life around. #LouisRuggiero #RosannaScotto #AddictionRecovery #MurderTrial #DrugAddiction #NYCStories #TrueCrimePodcast #lockedinpodcast Connect with Louis Ruggiero: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NothingsOffTheTable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nothingsoffpod/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nothingsoffpod Website: https://linktr.ee/nothingsoffthetable Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 A Dark Confession and Introduction 00:52 Meet Lewis: Background and Podcast 02:26 Twelve Years of Chaos 03:03 Growing Up Privileged in New York 04:42 Life with a Famous Mother 06:26 Spotlight Pressure and Acting Out 08:18 Rebellion and Early Signs 10:24 Parents' Presence and Family Dynamics 11:37 The Straight-Laced Sister 12:29 Making Amends and Lifelong Change 13:10 Hazy Future Plans and Pressure 14:31 High School Troubles and Africa Experience 16:03 Xanax: The Real Start of Addiction 17:56 Family History and the Addictive Personality 18:33 Barstar: College, Drugs, and Escalation 19:23 Interventions and Denial 20:54 Deceit, Probation, and Court-Ordered Programs 23:18 A Violent Encounter and New Addictions 24:22 Losing Friends and Facing the Law 26:06 White Privilege and Justice 27:41 Revolving Door of Addiction and Jail 28:58 Relapse and Deeper Descent 30:32 Confession of a Murder 35:01 After the Confession: Investigation and Fallout 39:05 Rock Bottom and Family Intervention 41:03 Rehab, FBI Subpoena, and Trial 44:52 Testifying in a Murder Case 47:56 Staying Sober Through Chaos 48:55 Falling Back and the Battle for Sobriety 49:54 Daily Recovery Work and Lasting Change 51:01 Living Amends and Generational Healing 54:05 Enabling, Gambling, and Hard Lessons 57:04 Gambling: Vegas, Apps, and Addiction 01:00:32 Reflection: Parental Trust and Actions 01:03:32 Integrity, Character, and Redemption 01:05:00 Advice to My Younger Self 01:05:16 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Sarma Melngailis seemed destined for success. A brilliant student who started her career in finance, she later pursued her passion for food and co-founded Pure Food and Wine, one of New York City's hottest vegan restaurants that attracted stars like Alec Baldwin. But Sarma's life took a shocking turn when she fell under the influence of a controlling con man who manipulated her into a web of lies, fraud, and destruction. Once the celebrated "vegan queen" of NYC, she became a fugitive, was arrested for fraud, and ended up behind bars at Rikers Island. Sarma's story of love, betrayal, and downfall captivated the world and was chronicled in Netflix's hit documentary Bad Vegan. In this episode, she opens up about her childhood, career, and what really happened behind the scenes of one of the most infamous scandals in the restaurant world. #BadVegan #SarmaMelngailis #TrueCrime #PrisonStories #NetflixDocumentary #RestaurantScandal #LockedInPodcast #Fraud Connect with Sarma Melngailis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarmamelngailis Buy her book: https://amzn.to/45x4Awo Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps:

00:00 Arrest and Introduction

01:56 Sarma's Background & Pure Food and Wine

10:08 Growing Up, Independence, and Early Influences

20:28 Career in Finance and Transition to Culinary

29:19 Opening Pure Food and Wine

36:46 The Rise of Pure Food and Wine & One Lucky Duck

42:00 Business Philosophy and Brand Growth

48:46 Personal Relationships & Vulnerability

54:46 First Encounters With the Conman

01:01:01 How the Manipulation Began

01:07:07 Financial Spiral and Isolation

01:16:16 Collapse and Confusion

01:25:01 The Arrest, Jail, and Coming to Terms

01:39:00 Prosecution, Sentencing, and Restitution

01:58:02 Reflection and the Future

02:00:33 Lessons Learned & Moving Forward

02:12:23 Ending and Book Discussion Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Luis Espinoza grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, surrounded by crime, addiction, and chaos. With a mother in and out of jail, he dropped out of high school and started hanging around the wrong crowd. By 22, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison—but just three months in, Luis made a desperate move: he tried to escape. After being captured only hours later, he was forced to face the reality of life behind bars. In this episode, Luis opens up about his troubled childhood, his escape attempt, what prison was really like, and how he finally turned his life around after incarceration. #PrisonEscape #LifeAfterPrison #PrisonStories #PrisonEscapeStory #TrueCrimePodcast #PrisonLife #AddictionRecovery #redemptionstory Connect with Luis Espinoza on his instagram pages: @theknowledgegod @badshapeltd @saintsandsinnerstattoostudio Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Childhood Overview 02:00 Growing Up Through Chaos 12:00 Early Influences & Life Lessons 21:00 Teen Years 29:00 First Brush With the Law & Probation 36:00 Life Spirals 47:00 Adulthood: Fatherhood & Setbacks 01:00:00 Escalating Trouble & Prison Time 01:14:00 The Infamous Prison Escape 01:27:00 Consequences: Administrative Segregation 01:38:00 New Bonds & Prison Politics 01:47:00 Transformation & Preparing for Release 01:56:00 Back To Freedom & Life After Prison 02:03:00 Family Tragedy & Turning Point 02:07:00 Redemption, Routine & Reflection 02:10:00 Advice for the Next Generation & Closing Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Luis Espinoza grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, surrounded by crime, addiction, and chaos. With a mother in and out of jail, he dropped out of high school and started hanging around the wrong crowd. By 22, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison—but just three months in, Luis made a desperate move: he tried to escape. After being captured only hours later, he was forced to face the reality of life behind bars. In this episode, Luis opens up about his troubled childhood, his escape attempt, what prison was really like, and how he finally turned his life around after incarceration.

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Nick Gojcaj grew up in Queens dreaming of becoming an NYPD cop, but after that didn't work out, he spent 20 years in the corporate world before making a drastic career change in his 40s—joining Rikers Island as a corrections officer. For three years he worked inside one of America's most notorious jails, dealing with chaos, violence, and the daily dangers of being a prison guard, until a confrontation with inmates left him permanently disabled. Instead of protecting him, Rikers illegally terminated his job, sparking a legal battle that he's still fighting today. In this episode, Nick opens up about his journey from the academy to life on the inside, the shocking realities of working at Rikers, and how he's now exposing the system that betrayed him. #RikersIsland #PrisonGuard #CorrectionsOfficer #NYCPrisons #RikersStories #PrisonLife #LawEnforcement #CorruptionExposed Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Prison Realities and Riker's Introduction 00:19 Nick's Unusual Career Path 01:51 Favorite Episodes and Influential People 03:21 Union Perks, Disability, and Department Politics 04:23 Growing Up: Family and Childhood Influences 05:21 School Trouble and Early Aspirations 06:12 Drinking, Gambling, and Avoiding Trouble 08:09 Crime, Arrests, and a Flawed System 09:49 Stable Home vs. Turbulent Friends 10:57 From College Hopes to Law Enforcement Dreams 13:09 College Life and NYPD Rejection 14:35 Corporate World: Two Decades Lost 16:08 Career Pivot: Joining Corrections at 44 17:43 Correctional Academy: Training Realities 20:08 Academy vs. Real World at Rikers 22:47 Early Days on the Job & Learning from Inmates 26:03 Systemic Issues: Contraband, Corruption, and Challenges 29:39 Schedules, Overtime, and Hidden Job Hazards 33:09 Facing Reality: Dangerous Shifts, Staff Politics 36:14 Respect, Dignity, and Handling Inmates 39:41 Violence, Use of Force, and Officer Dilemmas 43:00 The Incident and Long-Term Injury 47:34 Aftermath: Desk Duty, Recovery, and Abrupt Firing 53:46 Legal Fight and Alleged Retaliation 58:39 Department Corruption and Favoritism 01:02:02 Lawsuit, Motivation, and Moving Forward 01:06:10 Advice, Support, and Closing Thoughts Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Joseph Schultze's life looked nothing like the path that would eventually lead him toward prison. Growing up in Binghamton, New York, he had a loving home — but also parents battling cocaine addiction. Forced to take care of them while still a teenager, Joseph dropped out of high school and developed crippling anxiety. A car accident became the turning point that pulled him into painkillers, harder drugs, and a spiral of crime that racked up multiple larceny charges. Facing years behind bars, Joseph took a chance on New York's infamous shock program — a grueling alternative to prison designed to break inmates down physically and mentally. #AddictionRecovery #PrisonStories #ShockProgram #OvercomingAddiction #TrueCrimePodcast #AddictionAwareness #LifeAfterPrison #RecoveryJourney Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Get 50% off the Magic Mind offer here: https://www.magicmind.com/IANB50. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Early Addiction 00:50 Meet Joe: Hometown and Upbringing 02:00 Parents' Punk Rock Past & Family Struggles 04:04 Childhood Stories 07:00 Parents' Arrest 09:45 Family History & Normalcy Amidst Chaos 12:26 Dreams for the Future & Sports 13:51 Struggles in School and Dropping Out 14:44 Hitting Rock Bottom in High School 17:17 The GED, New School, and Finding Purpose 18:35 Early Jobs & Anxiety Takes Over 19:37 Battling Severe Anxiety and Isolation 21:18 Emerging from Anxiety 22:26 Family Crises and New Responsibilities 23:54 Balancing Business, Love, and Parental Care 27:32 Becoming a Parent: Breaking the Cycle? 32:30 The Accident That Changed Everything 36:56 Raising a Daughter 40:40 Understanding His Parents 42:58 Losing Prescription Access 45:39 Descent Into Heroin and Selling Possessions 47:59 From Using to Dealing & Living the Fast Life 52:40 Boosting: Shoplifting to Survive 57:07 Life of Boosting: Escalation and Arrests 01:04:04 Legal Trouble: Juggling Charges and Addiction 01:11:49 The Downward Spiral: High-Speed Chases & More Crime 01:18:19 Identity Theft & First Long Jail Stint 01:26:32 Jail, Withdrawal, and Hitting Bottom 01:36:08 Back to the Streets: Meth, Cars & Escalation 01:42:17 Caught Again: The End of Bonnie & Clyde 01:44:55 State Time: Programs & Military Boot Camp 01:56:41 Shock Program: Getting Broken Down to Build Up 02:08:08 Completing Shock & The Path to Recovery 02:13:13 Staying Sober, Rebuilding Life & Family 02:20:00 Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts 02:25:52 Outro & Gratitude Powered by: Just Media House : https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Creative direction, design, assets, support by FWRD: https://www.fwrd.co

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Joseph Schultze’s life looked nothing like the path that would eventually lead him toward prison. Growing up in Binghamton, New York, he had a loving home — but also parents battling cocaine addiction. Forced to take care of them while still a teenager, Joseph dropped out of high school and developed crippling anxiety. A car accident became the turning point that pulled him into painkillers, harder drugs, and a spiral of crime that racked up multiple larceny charges. Facing years behind bars, Joseph took a chance on New York’s infamous shock program — a grueling alternative to prison designed to break inmates down physically and mentally.

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