Crypto Crime: Federal Agents Discuss Human Trafficking, Narcotics, and Money Laundering

Crypto Crime: Federal Agents Discuss Human Trafficking, Narcotics, and Money Laundering

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/ [https://azprivateinvestigator.com/]

The Dark Web, Bitcoin, and Crime: How IRS Agents Follow the Money

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/ [https://azprivateinvestigator.com/]

The Power of Story: How Narrative Shapes Truth in Court and Media

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/ [https://azprivateinvestigator.com/]    Jamie Montoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemontoya/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemontoya/]   Doug Passon: @dougpasson2020  Doug’s law firm: https://dougpassonlaw.com/ [https://dougpassonlaw.com/]

Facts vs. Headlines: How Truth Gets Lost in the Age of Outrage

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/ [https://azprivateinvestigator.com/]   Jamie Montoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemontoya/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemontoya/] Doug Passon: @dougpasson2020 Doug’s law firm: https://dougpassonlaw.com/ [https://dougpassonlaw.com/] Ground News: https://ground.news/ [https://ground.news/]

ICE Authority Explained: What the Constitution Actually Says

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/ [https://azprivateinvestigator.com/]    Follow Joey Hamby: https://attorneysforfreedom.com/teammember/joey-hamby/ [https://attorneysforfreedom.com/teammember/joey-hamby/] Follow Matt Browning: https://www.instagram.com/matsonbrowning/ [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 [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/ [https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/] Fourth Amendment: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/ [https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/] Fifth Amendment: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/ [https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/] 14th Amendment – Due Process & Equal Protection: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/ [https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/]