How One Defendant Avoided Charges—And Why I Didn’t
On April 28, 2005, two FBI agents knocked on my door in Studio City. I wasn’t ready. I thought I could wing […]
One Week In: When I Realized Prison Was Not Temporary
The Call That Changed NothingSeven days after I surrendered, I picked up the phone and called my sister-in-law, Sunny. I told her […]
Think You Deserve Early Release? Prove It With This
I stood outside a case manager’s office years ago watching a guy plead his case. He said the same thing I’ve heard […]
FBI to Defendants: Cooperation Is Not Enough
Cooperation Alone Won’t Keep You Out of Prison Three years ago, this defendant signed his plea agreement and agreed to cooperate. He […]
Why the Chrisley Pardon Matters—Even If It Upsets You
The day Todd and Julie Chrisley surrendered to federal prison, I told their daughter Lindsie it was a good day. That might […]
Does Preparing Early Make You Look Guilty? What Federal Agents Really Think
A kid from San Diego called me this morning. Early 20s. First-time offender. Scared, but not clueless. He’d been watching our videos. […]
What If It Doesn’t Shorten Your Sentence? Why the Work Still Matters
I was alone, watching Mission: Impossible. My wife and kids were off doing their thing, and I wasn’t invited. So I went […]
The Cost of Waiting: Fraud, Detention, and Forced Removal
Last August, I met a man at 5:30 in the morning in Sunriver, Oregon. My family was still asleep. I was on […]
The Silent Mistake That Cost Him His Business After Prison
Let me tell you about a call I got recently. It came from a man who had worked with our team more […]
Why Most People Waste Federal Prison (And Don’t Even Know It)
Sixteen years ago today, I was in a halfway house, serving my first full day after leaving federal prison. One thing I […]
What I Would Tell Myself Before Prison—17 Years Later at Pebble Beach
I recently got a voicemail from someone who said, “Dude, you only served 18 months. What are you complaining about?” Let me […]