Truth Be Found

Fraud isn't random. It's calculated, evolving, and often hiding in plain sight. From mortgage fraud and healthcare scams to romance schemes and cryptocurrency theft, today's fraudsters are moving faster, reaching farther, and exploiting technology in ways that would have been unimaginable just a decade ago.

In this episode, Justin sits down with IRS Special Agents Don Ellsworth and David Votaw, alongside retired Homeland Security Investigations agent Bill Green, to explore the resurgence of mortgage fraud, the explosion of healthcare scams, and the growing need for cooperation between federal agencies. Together, they recount how major fraud investigations are built, why certain schemes continue to succeed, and what the public needs to know to avoid becoming the next victim.

Key Topics:

• Straw buyers, fraudulent tax returns, and organized real estate schemes

• Healthcare and Medicare fraud worth millions of taxpayer dollars

• Why fraudsters target government-funded programs

• Why elderly Americans are increasingly targeted by organized criminal networks

• The future of fraud investigations in an AI-driven world

Fraud impacts far more than balance sheets. It affects retirees, families, small businesses, taxpayers, and even those who believes they are too smart to become a victim. The reality is that today's schemes are designed to exploit trust, urgency, technology, and human behavior. As these crimes evolve, awareness becomes one of the most powerful tools we have.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications. Follow Truth Be Found for more conversations that explore the world of investigations and the truth behind today's biggest stories.

Follow: 

Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast 

Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/ 

The internet most people use is only the surface. Beneath it exists a hidden ecosystem of encrypted marketplaces, anonymous communications, cryptocurrency transactions, and criminal networks operating across borders. So how do investigators infiltrate a world designed to hide people, money, and crime? In this episode, Justin Yentes sits down with IRS Special Agents Don Ellsworth and David Votaw, alongside retired Homeland Security Investigations Agent Bill Green, to break down how early dark web investigations worked and the ways cryptocurrency changed everything.

They discuss the reality of undercover cyber investigations, the evolution of crypto-related crime, and the difficult human cases investigators encountered while working inside hidden online marketplaces years before most people even knew the dark web existed. From Bitcoin laundering operations to child exploitation investigations and global crypto fraud schemes, this episode reveals how federal agents adapted to a rapidly changing criminal landscape.

Key Topics:

• How IRS CI and Homeland Security collaborate on financial crime cases

• Early Bitcoin and crypto investigations before crypto became mainstream

• Human trafficking and exploitation cases tied to cryptocurrency

• Undercover operations involving money laundering and narcotics trafficking

• The growing epidemic of crypto scams, fraud, and online victimization

This episode is for anyone curious about how cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, and dark web investigations operate. Behind every wallet address, encrypted message, and hidden marketplace are real people, real victims, and investigators working to stop crimes most of the public never sees.

Like, subscribe, and follow for more conversations exploring investigations, criminal justice, fraud, and the stories behind the headlines.

Follow:

Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast

Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/

Before Bitcoin became mainstream, criminals were already using cryptocurrency to move money, hide illegal activity, and stay ahead of law enforcement. So how do investigators track financial crimes built around systems designed to be difficult to trace?

In this episode, Justin sits down with IRS Special Agent Don Ellsworth, a federal investigator who started working crypto and dark web cases before most people even understood what Bitcoin was. From Silk Road investigations to ransomware attacks and international crypto scams, this conversation breaks down how financial investigators follow digital money trails across borders and why nearly every major crime eventually connects back to money.

Key Topics:

• What the criminal investigative side of the IRS does

• How Bitcoin and cryptocurrency changed financial crimes

• Why criminals were years ahead of law enforcement in crypto

• International task forces, Interpol, and global investigations

• Crypto ransom cases, ransomware attacks, and hospital hacks

This episode is for anyone interested in investigations, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, fraud, or how modern law enforcement adapts to rapidly changing technology. It may also challenge the common belief that crypto is completely anonymous or that financial crimes only affect wealthy investors and corporations. Behind nearly every major criminal operation is a financial trail, and this conversation reveals how investigators work to follow it.

Subscribe to the podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast

Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/

Facts and evidence matter. But if no one understands the story behind them… the truth can get lost. In this episode, we go beyond facts and into the power of narrative, the force that shapes how the public, the media, and even the courts understand complex issues. Joined by attorney Doug Passon and journalist Jamie Montoya, we break down how storytelling transforms dense legal arguments into messages that resonate, influence headlines, and even shape judicial opinions.

From a high-stakes federal case centered on abuse of power to the psychology behind how humans process information, this conversation reveals why the most effective communicators, whether in law, journalism, or investigations, don’t just present facts… they tell stories.

Key Topics:

• Why facts alone aren’t enough to move people or influence outcomes

• The role of storytelling in shaping media headlines and court decisions

• How journalists balance narrative vs. accuracy when reporting complex cases

• Lessons from iconic cases like O.J. Simpson and the power of a single phrase

• How storytelling can expose or obscure abuses of power

This episode is for anyone trying to make sense of today’s legal system, media landscape, or public discourse. Whether you're an attorney, journalist, investigator, or simply someone who wants to better understand how truth is communicated, this conversation challenges a fundamental assumption: that facts speak for themselves. They don’t. And whoever controls the story, wins.

Be sure to follow the show and subscribe to the YouTube channel to never miss an episode!  

Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast   

Check out Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/   

Jamie Montoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemontoya/  

Doug Passon: @dougpasson2020 

Doug’s law firm: https://dougpassonlaw.com/ 

In a world where headlines move faster than facts, how do you tell the difference between what’s really true, and what just “feels” true? This episode digs into the growing divide between verified facts and viral narratives. Joined by criminal defense attorney Doug Passon and journalist-turned-investigator Jamie Montoya, we explore how professionals in law, journalism, and investigations gather, vet, and present evidence when the stakes are at their highest and what happens when that process is ignored in favor of speed, emotion, and engagement.

Key Topics:

• How investigators, attorneys, and journalists verify and document evidence

• Why credibility, connection, and control shape outcomes in high-stakes cases

• The rise of “influencer news” and the erosion of traditional editorial standards

• How to spot red flags and evaluate whether information is trustworthy

• The role of storytelling in shaping public perception and legal outcomes

This episode is for anyone trying to make sense of today’s information landscape, whether you’re a legal professional, investigator, journalist, or simply someone who wants to think more critically about the stories shaping public opinion. It challenges the idea that more information leads to more truth, and asks a deeper question: are we seeking facts, or just confirming what we already believe?

Be sure to follow the show and subscribe to the YouTube channel to never miss an episode! 

Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast  

Check out Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/  

Jamie Montoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemontoya/

Doug Passon: @dougpasson2020

Doug’s law firm: https://dougpassonlaw.com/

Ground News: https://ground.news/

Can federal agents enter your home without a judge’s signature? And if they can’t… why do so many people believe they can? In this episode, Justin Yentes sits down with attorney Joey Hamby and former law enforcement officer Matt Browning to examine immigration enforcement through a constitutional lens. Instead of debating politics, the panel focuses on what the law says, breaking down the difference between administrative and judicial warrants, the constitutional protections of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and how due process is applied during civil immigration enforcement.

Through lived experience and case law the discussion explores how constitutional protections apply to homes, how consent can change the legal landscape, and why the difference between civil immigration enforcement and criminal law enforcement matters more than most people realize.

Key Topics

• The difference between administrative warrants and judicial warrants

• How the Fourth Amendment protects homes and effects

• Due process language that applies to “persons,” not just citizens

• The role of local law enforcement vs. federal immigration authorities

• How political narratives often obscure the legal framework

This episode is for anyone trying to understand immigration enforcement beyond the headlines and what the Constitution says about government authority and individual rights. It challenges assumptions from both sides of the political spectrum. The law surrounding immigration enforcement, due process, and federal authority is far more nuanced than the public conversation often allows. Be sure to follow the show and subscribe to the YouTube channel so you never miss an update!

Follow Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast 

Link to Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/ 

Follow Joey Hamby: https://attorneysforfreedom.com/teammember/joey-hamby/

Follow Matt Browning: https://www.instagram.com/matsonbrowning/

Buy Matt’s book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-hate-next-door-undercover-within-the-new-face-of-white-supremacy-matson-browning/964fba3e77e39704?affiliate=1713&ean=9781728276632&next=t&singleFormat=true

The Constitution: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/

Fourth Amendment: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/

Fifth Amendment: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/

14th Amendment – Due Process & Equal Protection: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/

Before reacting to a viral clip or choosing a political side, there’s a more important question: what does the law say? Public debates about police use of force often begin with a short video, a headline, or a social media narrative, but the legal standards that govern these moments were defined decades ago by the Supreme Court and they’re far more complex than most public discussions suggest.

In this episode, Justin Yentes is joined by self-defense attorney Joey Hamby and former LEO Matt Browning to break down the constitutional framework behind use-of-force cases. They examine the landmark Supreme Court decisions that courts rely on when determining whether force was lawful and how those standards are applied in real-world situations where officers must make split-second decisions.

Key Topics:

• The three main factors courts use when analyzing police use of force

• How courts evaluate split-second decisions made in dangerous situations

• Why police training, departmental policy, and institutional accountability matter

• How media incentives and public outrage can distort complex legal cases

• Why transparency and fairness are essential to public trust in the justice system

This episode is for listeners who want to understand how the law evaluates use-of-force cases, rather than relying on viral clips or political commentary. It may challenge assumptions about how courts view police actions, how civil rights claims work, and why legal standards often look very different from the debates playing out online. Make sure that you follow the show and subscribe to the YouTube channel so you never miss an update!

Follow Justin Yentes: @truthbefoundpodcast  

Link to Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/  

Follow Matt: https://www.instagram.com/matsonbrowning/

Matt Browning’s book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-hate-next-door-undercover-within-the-new-face-of-white-supremacy-matson-browning/964fba3e77e39704?affiliate=1713&ean=9781728276632&next=t&singleFormat=true

Joey Hamby, Attorney: https://attorneysforfreedom.com/teammember/joey-hamby/

Graham v. Connor: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/490/386/

Tennessee v. Garner: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/471/1/

Statue 42 U.S.C. § 1983 — Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1983

Fourteenth Amendment: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/

The George Zimmerman trial about the death of Trayvon Martin reshaped national conversations on self-defense, race, and the legal system. Beyond the headlines, the case was far more complex. In this episode, Justin discusses it all with Dennis Root, a nationally recognized use-of-force expert and key witness in the Zimmerman trial. He breaks down the forensic evidence, media misconceptions, and what the public still gets wrong about high-profile cases like this.

Key Points:

• Understand what constitutes “reasonable” use of force in self-defense situations.

• What it feels like to fear for your life and how biology and training take over.

• Why expert witnesses are crucial in helping juries and judges interpret evidence.

• Stand Your Ground vs. Self-Defense: Learn how these legal concepts apply.

This episode cuts through the noise, offering a deeper understanding of use-of-force and self-defense, media distortion, and the complexities of cases that become national conversations. Listen now for a peek behind the curtain of this trial through the eyes of an expert witness.

Follow Justin and the pod: @truthbefoundpodcast   

Link to Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/    

Dennis's website with links to his training courses and podcast: Force Concepts Training & Consulting - myfctc.com

What happens to the child left behind after an act of violence destroys an entire family? In this deeply personal episode, Justin Yentes is joined by Thaddeus Mellon and mitigation expert Doug Passon to explore the lives often left out of criminal justice narratives, the children who lose everything when one parent dies and another is sent to prison. Through Thaddeus’s lived experience of trauma, instability, foster care, and survival, the conversation reveals how loss, stigma, and system failures shape a child’s path long after the courtroom proceedings end.

At the same time, this episode examines the role of mitigation, empathy, and context in the pursuit of justice, asking whether the legal system can truly account for the full human story behind a crime, and what responsibility society carries toward the children caught in its wake.

Key Topics:

• Losing both parents to a single act of violence

• Childhood trauma, instability, and life inside group homes

• Domestic abuse, control, and competing public narratives

• The role of mitigation in telling the full human story at sentencing

• What society owes children who become collateral damage of crime

This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of justice beyond punishment, legal professionals, advocates, trauma specialists, and listeners drawn to the human realities behind true crime. It challenges the assumption that a sentence brings closure, expands our definition of who the true victims are, and asks whether empathy has a rightful place inside a system built to judge.

Follow Justin and the pod: @truthbefoundpodcast

Link to Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/

Follow Thaddeus Mellon: @vgg.ego

Link to Doug Passon’s work: https://dougpassonlaw.com/

When a dictator is removed, does freedom follow or does the system simply reshape itself?

In this episode, Justin sits down with Faviola, an advocate for Venezuela, for a deeply personal and unfiltered conversation about what really happened when Nicolás Maduro was arrested and why the moment that felt like hope for millions of Venezuelans may not have brought the change the world expected.

Through lived experience, historical context, and on-the-ground insight, the conversation explores why political change without structural reform can leave fear, control, and instability firmly in place and why transitions of power are far more complex than simply removing a single leader.

Key topics:

• Why removing a leader doesn’t dismantle a dictatorship

• The role of loyalty, legacy, and repetition within authoritarian regimes

• Why transition plans matter and how power vacuums can worsen chaos

• The resilience, humanity, and enduring hope of the Venezuelan people

This episode is for anyone trying to understand modern authoritarianism, political transitions, and the lived reality behind regime change. It will challenge assumptions about what freedom looks like, question whether hope alone is enough to rebuild a nation, and invite listeners to consider how power, fear, and loyalty outlast individual leaders.

Follow Justin and the pod: @truthbefoundpodcast  

Link to Justin’s agency, AIA: https://azprivateinvestigator.com/  

Follow Faviola on TikTok: @moreandchismes