Interview with retired DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dante Sorianello

Years of Service: 1987-2022

In 1987, Dante was hired by the DEA. After graduating from the DEA Academy, Dante was assigned to the San Diego office where he investigated clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, money laundering including the Green Ice initiative, and was assigned to the gang task force.

Dante was deployed to South America where he served under Operation Snowcap destroying cocaine laboratories and clandestine airstrips.

During his career, Dante was assigned Tuscon, AZ, Bogata, Colombia, Midland and San Antonio, Texas as well as DEA Headquarters. Dante was also part of the DEA Jungle Group where he focused on an investigation into the FARC also known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Interview with retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari

Years of Service: 1987-2007

Vic was born in New York and from a young age always wanted to be an NYPD police officer.
 
During this episode, Vic talks about growing up in New York and what led him to a career in law enforcement. He tells very entertaining stories about his time on patrol and his work as an auto crimes detective. Vic also talks about what it was like to be on ground zero following 9/11. 

During his career, Vic was part of the anti-crime unit, narcotics unit, and auto crimes.

Vic is the host of the NYPD Through the Looking Glass Podcast and the author of eight books, including the following, which can be found on Amazon.

NYPD Through the Looking Glass podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@vicferrari4046
NYPD Through the Looking Glass NYPD: Presumption & Dysfunction
NYPD: Laughing In the Line Of Duty The NYPD's Flying Circus: Cops, Crime & Chaos
NYPD: Law and Disorder
Grand Theft Auto: The NYPD's Auto Crime Division
Dickheads & Debauchery: and other ingenious ways to die
Confessions of a Catholic High School Graduate

Interview with retired San Diego Police Department Sergeant Detective David Contreras

Years of Service: 1985-2015

Born in Tijuana, Mexico, David came to the United States and, as a young child, knew he wanted to become a police officer. As David explains, he always had a sheepdog mentality and was always looking to defend the weaker kids who were getting picked on by bullies and saw law enforcement as a way to protect others who were being preyed upon.

As a young man, David became the founder and Executive Director of the New Life Rehabilitation Center for drug addicts and hardcore gang members. David explains that it was here that he learned his communication skills and began his education in how to deal with gang members and drug addicts and developed a philosophy to never believe anyone without first looking into the facts.

David was later hired as a corrections officer, where he worked with maximum security inmates and developed expertise in gangs, and furthered his street education in dealing with people from all walks of life.

At 28 years old, David was recruited by a mentor to the San Diego Police Department, where he began a long and storied career. With 8 months on patrol, David talks about what it was like working in San Diego in heavy crime and gang-ridden areas and tells the story of purchasing drugs in full uniform.

Throughout his career, David worked in the gang unit, internal affairs, narcotics, community relations and was the assistant to the chief of police. Most importantly, David worked for the Criminal Intelligence Unit which worked as the Mexican Liaison group, working directly with the Mexican Government on crimes such as rape, robbery, narcotics, and murder. The CIU unit worked in Mexico, where David and his team often found themselves searching for suspects from the United States hiding in Mexico.

David is the co-author of the book “When the Music Stops! The Pain Begins” which discusses the troubles law enforcement officers have reintegrating into society after a career in policing.

David is also working on his second book about active shooters, their mentality, and the after-effects.

Finally, David is the co-host of three podcasts. The Grey Line The Story Behind the Blue Line where he and his co-hosts talk to various guests about law enforcement as well as suspects they dealt with, as well as the spin-off podcast called Ash Wednesday, where they discuss numerous topics. If you love God, Family, Country, Whiskey and a great cigar this podcast is for you.

And lastly, the podcast “The Three Chingones” which is a boxing podcast where David and his co-hosts discuss past and present boxers and boxing matches and provide their analysis.

The Grey Line the Story Behind the Blue Line: https://www.youtube.com/@thegraylinepodcast Los #3 Chingones Boxing: https://www.youtube.com/@UCw9Unx2Voqn9AR2-ssdhe1w
When The Music Stops! The Pain Begins

Interview with retired ATF Special Agent Roland Ballesteros. 

Years of Service: 1987-2018

Roland grew up in Texas in a large family with a history of law enforcement going back to the 1800s to his great, great, great grandfather, who was a deputy sheriff. That service history continued through his family, with one brother becoming an ATF Special Agent and another working for the Air Force and, ultimately, the NSA.

As Roland was searching for what to do with his life, one brother took him for a ride along in high school, and from that moment on Roland realized he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.

As Roland was finishing college, he knew he didn’t want to work in an office and was trying to decide what law enforcement agency to go into. His brother told Roland to join the ATF, which Roland knew little about. After researching the agency, Roland applied and began his career in 1987 as a Special Agent.

During his career, Roland has worked on investigations focusing on felons in possession, fugitive apprehension, militias, the Centennial Park Bombing, the Eric Rudolph manhunt, homicides, gangs, home invasions, drug trafficking, the DC Sniper, and numerous other investigations.

Roland has been involved in investigations throughout the United States and other countries, including Mexico and El Salvador.

During this interview, Roland tells numerous stories about his career, including a harrowing recounting of the search warrant served at the infamous Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas.

Interview with Dan Flores, retired United States Army, Customs and Border Protection and EMS pilot.

Years of Service: 1985-2022

Daniel Flores is a lifelong Texan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1985, attending Infantry training at Ft. Benning Ga. He then served in the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
After his active-duty time, he then served in the Texas Army National Guard’s special operations unit; Company G. 143rd Infantry LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol). In 1990 Mr. Flores went to Army flight school to become an Apache helicopter pilot with 7th Squadron 6th Cavalry Regiment, based in Conroe Texas.

In 2006 he was deployed as the attack asset for the 10th Mountain Division. He was in the infamous Korengal Valley and numerous outposts in the Hindu Kush mountains and along the Pakistani border.

He wrote a #1 bestselling book telling of his experience flying the Apache helicopter in combat and was instrumental in the success of the movie "Apache Warrior" as a Co-Executive producer.

The title of his book is “South of Heaven, My Year in Afghanistan”. From his book the film “Above the Best” was made. The film uses actual footage taken from his Apache helicopter in combat.

He received the “The Air Medal” and “Bronze Star” and retired after 26+ years in the Army. He also flew airplanes and helicopters for 21 years, for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as an Air Interdiction Agent before retiring in July 2020. He has been deployed to the U.S./Mexico border and South America on numerous occasions for operations against the Drug Trafficking Cartels and the illegal immigrant surge.

He currently flies Helicopters as an EMS pilot, in the Houston area.

Interview with retired DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven Whipple

Years of Service: 1985-2021

Steve grew up in Texas but spent some of his formative years living in Iran while his stepfather worked in the oil industry.

In 1985, Steve was hired by the DEA in the Dallas Field Division and arrived in Quantico, VA, for training at the DEA Academy by December 1985. Being a native Texan, Steve was very unhappy to hear the news that he was being assigned to the New York Field Division and thought about quitting several times on his drive from Texas to New York. Once in New York, the work was so interesting that he decided he would make it work.

While in New York, Steve got his first chance to work undercover and was part of a group targeting Colombian importers and distributors.

During this same time, Steve learned about Operation Snowcap, which was a new program formed by the DEA to target South American drug traffickers in their home countries. The premise behind Snowcap was to take the fight to the traffickers by locating and destroying cocaine laboratories as well as clandestine airstrips used to smuggle drugs from South America to the United States. Steve served two tours in Ecuador before his wife gave him the ultimatum of his job or family. He said it was one of the only smart decisions he made, and he chose his family.

Steve was transferred to El Paso, Texas, where he continued to work undercover but also began working on an investigation targeting the Amado Carillo-Fuentes organization. Because of this investigation, a contract was put out on his life, and he was forced to move.

Throughout his career, Steve has worked in New York, Atlanta, DEA Headquarters, and offices throughout Texas, including El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston.

During this interview, Steve discusses some of his investigations and his rise through the ranks of the DEA to finally retire as the Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Division.

Interview with retired Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation Ann Kirkland.

Years of Service: 1996-2022

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Annie knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. With encouragement from her father, she sought a goal to become a Special Agent with the FBI.

After college, she received her law degree and became an Assistant District Attorney for Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, handling minor and major criminal cases. In 1996, she achieved her goal of becoming a Special Agent with the FBI and was assigned to the New York Division.

During her career, Annie served different assignments, including the surveillance operations group, behavioral analysis coordinator, and adjunct faculty instructor for violent crime and crime scene management processing. Annie was assigned to the New York Division, Los Angeles Division, FBI Headquarters, Anchorage Division, and the Philadelphia Division.

She was part of the evidence response team throughout her career, which took her throughout the country and world, investigating bombings, murders, and plane crashes. 

Annie had an affinity for investigating violent crime but developed a deep desire to pursue cases involving children who were the victims of crime. During her career, Annie worked on investigations including bank robbery, wire fraud, kidnapping, organized crime, narcotics, human trafficking, terrorism, homicide, and January 6th protesters for a brief time.

Interview with CIA Officer Jerry O'Shea

Years of Service: 1984-2017 

Jerry was recruited into the CIA in 1984. During that time, he worked undercover as an operations officer for over three decades. He served in Europe, Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, as well as numerous war zones. He was a four-time Chief of Station running some of CIA’s largest and most critical missions abroad.

During this interview, Jerry discusses why and how he began working for the CIA and discusses some interesting stories he was a part of while trying to recruit human assets. Jerry provides a fascinating look into the gray and blurred lines of being a CIA Officer and tells an interesting story about how he broke the news to his children that not only was he a CIA Officer, but their mother also worked for the CIA. He gives his personal opinion about Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, as well as his take on other intelligence agencies worldwide.

Jerry is the co-host of the podcast Mission Implausible which can be found on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify and is the co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment.

Life on the Front Lines: Chris Hastings' Journey Through Drug Wars and Personal Battles

Years of Service: 1980-2013

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Chris Hastings, a former customs patrol officer turned USCS Special Agent who shares his gripping experiences from the cocaine wars in South Florida, his role in high-stakes undercover operations, and the personal challenges that shaped his career. From surviving near-fatal encounters to navigating deep-rooted corruption, Chris opens up about the realities of law enforcement and his journey of rediscovery.

Interview with the most decorated NYPD Detective Ralph Friedman 

Years of Service: 1968-1984

Detective Friedman began his law enforcement career with the NYPD in 1968 as a fingerprint technician. He was later assigned to the 41st Precinct, also known as “Fort Apache,” as an officer on foot patrol.

Right from the start, Detective Friedman was a proactive police officer who sought out criminals both on and off duty, quickly earning a reputation as someone who got things done. He was eventually promoted to the Anti-Crime Unit, where he worked alongside some of his heroes, and through his hard work, he achieved the rank of Detective 3rd grade.

While serving as an officer and detective for the NYPD, Friedman made 2,000 arrests, including 100 off-duty arrests, and provided assistance in 6,000 cases. He was involved in 15 shootings, resulting in the deaths of 4 suspects. Unfortunately, Detective Friedman's career was cut short after just 14 years due to a severe on-duty car accident, which led to his medical retirement as a second-grade detective.

Detective Friedman has been the subject of numerous articles and interviews. He is the co-author of the book "Street Warrior: NYPD's Most Decorated Detective and the Era that Created Him" based on his career.

A 2017 television series, which is currently available on Amazon Prime and is called "Street Justice the Bronx," was also based on his career. Friedman was featured in the movie "Tattoo" with Bruce Dern, and he was the technical advisor to the Prequel Movie for the Sopranos called "The Many Saints of Newark."