Gangland Wire

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins is joined by retired FBI agent Shawn Johnson and retired bank robber Stephen Myers to examine one of the most sophisticated bank robbery investigations in modern American history. The discussion focuses on the notorious career of Scott Scurlock, known as the "Hollywood Bandit," and the law enforcement effort that ultimately brought the robbery spree to an end.  

Get the book, Click Here on The Treehouse: The True Story of Hollywood the Bank Robber. 
Shawn Johnson begins by discussing his career with the FBI, including assignments involving violent crime, counterterrorism, instruction at the FBI Academy, and his work training new agents after retirement. His experience provides insight into the methods and challenges of major federal investigations.  

Stephen Myers recounts his unusual path from Kansas City to a life of architecture, sculpture, furniture design, and restoration work around the world. He explains how he first met Scott Scurlock while helping build a treehouse compound in Washington State and how that relationship eventually drew him into a criminal enterprise.  

The conversation explores Scurlock's early involvement in methamphetamine production and the development of the remote treehouse property that served as a base of operations. After a violent incident ended that chapter, Scurlock turned his attention to bank robbery, approaching it with meticulous planning and extensive research.   Stephen describes how Scurlock studied failed robberies, developed disguises using prosthetic masks, conducted surveillance operations, mapped escape routes, and used radios and communications equipment to reduce the chances of capture. The pair discuss the first successful robberies and the methods that allowed the crew to evade authorities.  

Shawn Johnson explains how the FBI investigation evolved into a major task force operation. Investigators analyzed robbery patterns, vehicle purchases, tire records, witness statements, and other forensic evidence to identify the perpetrators and understand their operating methods. The episode examines the robbers' transition from traditional teller robberies to more ambitious vault takeovers. Stephen discusses the use of insider information, surveillance of cash deliveries, and careful target selection designed to minimize risk and avoid unnecessary violence.  

The discussion also highlights the emotional impact of bank robberies on victims. Shawn explains how repeated robberies affected tellers and customers and how investigators worked to document both the physical evidence and the human consequences of the crimes.  

A key breakthrough came through the use of ProNet tracking devices secretly placed inside bank vaults. Shawn details how these tracking tags helped investigators close in on the suspects and ultimately unravel the robbery operation.  

The episode concludes with the dramatic final robbery on Thanksgiving Eve, the ensuing shootout, Stephen Myers' arrest, and the death of Scott Scurlock. Both guests reflect on the investigation, the lessons learned, and the unlikely friendship that later developed between a former FBI agent and a former member of the robbery crew.

They also discuss Stephen's book, The Treehouse, which provides a detailed account of the case and its aftermath.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins welcomes journalist and author Matthew Campbell to discuss one of the largest antiquities trafficking scandals of modern times.   Drawing on his book The Man Who Stole the Gods, Campbell explains the rise and fall of Douglas Latchford, a British art dealer accused of orchestrating an international network that moved looted Cambodian treasures from ancient temples into private collections, museums, and auction houses worldwide.  

The conversation explores the decades-long theft of priceless Khmer artifacts from Cambodia during periods of war and instability. Campbell describes how looters stripped ancient temple sites, often under dangerous and violent conditions, while middlemen and dealers created false ownership histories to conceal the artifacts' origins.  

Gary and Matthew examine the mechanics of the antiquities black market, tracing the path from local thieves and smugglers to wealthy collectors and major institutions. They discuss how fake provenance documents helped stolen treasures enter the legitimate art market and how federal investigators eventually built fraud and conspiracy cases against Douglas Latchford.  

The discussion also covers restitution efforts involving museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and examines the role of private collectors whose acquisitions helped fuel demand for looted artifacts.  

Beyond Cambodia, the conversation expands into broader issues of organized crime, corruption, and conflict. Campbell explains how war zones and unstable border regions—from Cambodia's jungles to the Golden Triangle and beyond—have long provided opportunities for traffickers, smugglers, and criminal enterprises.  

Additional topics include legendary silk merchant Jim Thompson, notorious artifact thief Tuk-Tik, attorney Bradley Gordon, and the continuing effort to recover stolen cultural treasures from collections around the world.   This episode provides a fascinating look at a criminal enterprise that operated far from traditional organized crime but employed many of the same techniques of deception, laundering, and international trafficking.

Get Matt's book The Man Who Stole the Gods. 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Kevin E. Meredith to examine a little-known but highly influential force in Chicago’s Prohibition-era crime wars—the Secret Six. Click here for a link to get the book The Secret Six: The Rise and Fall of Chicago's greatest Vigilantes

Meredith, a former newspaper reporter turned historian, explains how he uncovered the story while researching another project. What he found was a group unlike any other: wealthy businessmen who stepped outside traditional law enforcement to combat the chaos of organized crime and corruption gripping Chicago in the early 1930s.

The Rise of the Secret Six
The conversation begins with the conditions that gave rise to the Secret Six—widespread corruption, violent labor disputes, and a city dominated by gangland power structures. A key turning point was the murder of construction supervisor Philip Meeker, which galvanized prominent business leaders into action. Rather than working quietly, the Secret Six operated in full public view, using media attention as a weapon. They were not truly “secret,” nor limited to six members, but their branding captured public imagination during a time of fear and instability. Vigilantes with Resources: Meredith details the group’s unconventional tactics: running a covert jail inside the St. Clair Hotel; financing independent investigations; using early lie-detection technology; coordinating with local law enforcement. Their financial power allowed them to function almost like a parallel police force, blurring the line between legal authority and private enforcement.

High-Profile Cases and Mob Pressure
The Secret Six became entangled in some of the most notorious events of the era, including fallout from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Their aggressive tactics earned both praise and criticism. One of the most striking episodes discussed is their involvement in an extortion case tied to socialite Marian Wright. Their heavy-handed investigative style brought results—but also legal and ethical scrutiny. Their existence also intersected with figures like Al Capone, who recognized the group as a legitimate threat to organized crime operations.

The Fall and Legacy
Operating from roughly 1930 to 1933, the Secret Six ultimately collapsed under mounting criticism and suspicion. Deals that appeared questionable—such as the recovery of stolen bonds—raised doubts about their methods and motives. Despite their short lifespan, they had a significant impact. Meredith emphasizes how their story reflects enduring tensions between public safety and civil liberties—questions that remain relevant today.

Final Takeaway
This episode explores a unique chapter in American crime history where private citizens took the fight to organized crime, raising complex questions about justice, power, and accountability. Get this great book The Rise and Fall of Chicago's Greatest Vigilantes

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes author Ray Franze to discuss his historical fiction novel The Heights, a story inspired by the real-life mob figures who controlled Chicago Heights and Northwest Indiana for much of the twentieth century. Drawing on FBI files, family stories, and historical research, Franze explores the rise of Frank LaPorte and the Chicago Heights crew, one of the most influential factions associated with the Chicago Outfit.
The conversation begins with the famous 1928 photograph showing Al Capone and several future participants in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Franze explains the long-standing belief that members of the Chicago Heights crew may have been involved in planning the infamous gangland murder and discusses the crew's close relationship with Capone and his associates.
Gary and Ray examine the unique position of Chicago Heights, located south of Chicago near the Indiana border, and how the area developed its own powerful criminal organization before eventually becoming part of the Chicago Outfit. They discuss the role of the Union Siciliana, the Beer Wars of Prohibition, and the alliance between Capone and local leaders such as Dominic Roberto, Jimmy Emery, and Frank LaPorte.
The discussion also covers the expansion of organized crime into Northwest Indiana, Calumet City, and Joliet. Ray explains how gambling, vice, and bootlegging operations flourished in these territories and how Chicago Heights became a major power center within the Outfit structure.
The conversation explores Frank LaPorte's leadership style and his remarkable ability to avoid publicity and law enforcement attention. Unlike many notorious gangsters, LaPorte remained largely unknown to the public while building a powerful organization through trusted family members, loyal associates, and strategic insulation from criminal activity.
Gary and Ray also discuss the Outfit's transition into seemingly legitimate businesses, including jukeboxes, vending machines, and cigarette distribution, as federal investigators increased pressure on traditional gambling operations. The evolution of mob-controlled businesses reflects the Outfit's efforts to adapt to changing law enforcement tactics.
Click here to get Ray's book, The Heights.
Another fascinating topic is the legendary Villa Venice nightclub, opened by Sam Giancana with appearances by Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Ray shares family memories of the grand opening and explains how these firsthand accounts became one of the most authentic scenes in his novel.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes back organized crime historian and author John Binder for an in-depth discussion about his new book, The Chicago Outfit During the 1960s. Together, they explore one of the most important yet often overlooked decades in the history of the Chicago mob.

The conversation examines how the Chicago Outfit evolved during the 1960s under powerful figures like Sam Giancana and Anthony Accardo. John Binder explains how the Outfit expanded beyond traditional rackets into massive gambling operations, Las Vegas casinos, labor racketeering, prostitution, truck hijacking, and narcotics trafficking. Gary and John discuss the transition from the old Prohibition-era gangsters to a new generation of mobsters emerging from the infamous 42 Gang. The episode details how Giancana cultivated loyal associates, enforced discipline through violence, and helped reshape the Outfit’s power structure during a turbulent period marked by gangland murders and internal rivalries.

The discussion also explores the Outfit’s extensive network of political corruption in Chicago. Binder explains how mob-controlled wards, corrupt politicians, and labor influence allowed organized crime to manipulate elections and maintain enormous influence over city government and law enforcement.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.