Good day, my friends! Welcome to another episode of America’s Criminologist. I’m Dr. Currie Myers, bringing you the latest insights and developments in criminal justice from across the United States.
My Podcast is brought to you by the Howard Wagyu Ranch. Raised on a family ranch in Central Kansas, Howard Wagyu serves Wagyu beef with the highest quality and excellence. Just go to their website Howard Wagyu!
I’m thrilled to announce that my new book, The Advent of Feral Man, is now available exclusively on my Substack at drcurriemyers.substack.com for paid subscribers. In this work, I explore compelling evidence that over the past decade, America has been accelerating toward a disturbing trend—the “wilding” of the human spirit. This unraveling is deeply rooted in the erosion of faith, the breakdown of the family, and the absence of moral formation in our culture. If you're a subscriber, you’ll gain access to this book along with all my previously published work. I truly hope you find it as thought-provoking to read as it was fulfilling to write.
Don’t forget, you can also listen to this podcast on Spotify—just search America’s Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers. And stay connected with me on X @DrCurrieMyers—an essential platform where I share commentary, research, and updates.
If you’re looking for more, I’m hosting two additional podcasts you might enjoy. The first is The St. Michaels Group Podcast at stmichaelsgroup.substack.com, where we focus on restoring the pillars of faith, family, and moral formation. The second is a gripping exploration of criminal psychology called Wired to Kill, available at wiredtokill.substack.com. This one dives into real criminal cases, laced with my professional insights into what may have been going on in the mind of the killer.
All three podcasts are available on Spotify, so be sure to subscribe and stay informed.
Speaking of Wired to Kill. 🎙️ EPISODE SIX: The Clown Beneath the Floorboards: The John Wayne Gacy Case. Step into the mind of America’s most horrifying neighbor. But tread carefully—once you go beneath the floorboards, you may never look at clowns, or suburban basements, the same way again.
I can’t talk about evil without putting my faith as the top priority. I was honored to be featured this week as a speaker for Catholic Speakers. If you wish for me to speak at one of your events please contact me through Catholic Speakers! And let’s not forget the St Michaels Group Podcast. Here is my latest episode called “A Memorial Day Perspective: Sacrifice with Purpose.
This week on The Lou Desmond & Company Show I was the guest host for Lou. Joining us this week was Chief Paul Carrill, former law enforcement officer, DEA Task Force veteran, mountain-town police chief, and now entrepreneur behind the Adventure Tool Company, makers of some of the toughest mission bags on the planet.
Dr Currie Myers Interview of Retired Chief Paul Carrill.
Joining us this week on the Lou Desmond & Company Show is a man who’s done it all, on the streets, in the mountains, and now, in the world of American-made gear and grit. Please welcome Chief Paul Carrill—former law enforcement officer, DEA Task Force veteran, mountain-town police chief, and now entrepreneur behind the
Here is my Riff for the week:
Seattle’s Public Safety Crisis: A Dereliction of Duty from Top to Bottom
The violent disruption of a Christian rally at Cal Anderson Park on May 24, 2025, was not an isolated incident but a predictable outcome of systemic failures by the city of Seattle's leadership. The city's decision to permit a Christian group to hold a rally in a historically LGBTQ+ neighborhood without adequ…
For 2024, the total line of duty deaths in law enforcement was 145 officers. So far in 2025 there have been 27 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In May we have had 4 officer deaths as of this date. St Michael Pray for Them and Us!
I spent 24 years out on the streets of America fighting crime. One of the most important tools in my toolkit was appropriate illumination! My go to flashlights were always MAGLITE, America's #1 source for illumination. So, visit maglite.com/SMADRCURRIEMYERS and don't forget to enter the code SMADRCURRIEMYERS at checkout to get 40% off if you are a new user!
Okay here is Dr C’s top five blitz on CJ News and Information for this week:
1. Supreme Court Allows Revocation of Legal Status for Over 530,000 Migrants
On May 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted the Trump administration to proceed with revoking temporary legal status for over 530,000 migrants from countries including Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This decision lifts a lower court's block on the program's termination, potentially leading to widespread deportations.
My Perspective: This ruling underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law in immigration policy. While humanitarian concerns are valid, the integrity of our immigration system depends on consistent enforcement. However, it's crucial that due process is afforded to all individuals, ensuring that actions taken are both lawful and just.
2. The Devil of the Ozarks has Escaped
The manhunt for convicted murderer and former police chief Grant Hardin has entered its fifth day after his calculated escape from an Arkansas state prison. Known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin, 56, walked out of the North Central Unit on May 25 wearing a makeshift corrections officer uniform that allowed him to slip past security undetected. Hardin's background in law enforcement, as a former police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, clearly played a role in his ability to orchestrate such a bold escape. He’s serving a life sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton and was previously convicted of the 1997 rape of a school teacher. His crimes and betrayal of the badge were highlighted in the 2023 documentary Devil in the Ozarks.
My Perspective: I view this escape as far more than an isolated incident. This is a glaring example of institutional failure. When someone with inside knowledge of law enforcement and corrections can exploit that understanding to break free, it exposes profound weaknesses in our system. We need to be especially vigilant with former officers who have crossed to the other side of the law. Their familiarity with the mechanics of justice makes them uniquely dangerous. There should have been heightened protocols and specialized monitoring in place. This case underscores what I’ve said for years: justice doesn’t stop at conviction. Accountability must continue behind the walls of our institutions. We need to return to a justice model rooted in discipline, order, and moral clarity. It's not enough to house offenders, we must secure the public from them. My recommendation is simple but urgent: corrections facilities should adopt a tiered risk-assessment system that automatically places former law enforcement personnel, particularly those convicted of violent crimes, into maximum-security oversight. This includes physical separation from general populations, stricter uniform controls, and continuous internal audits of staff impersonation risks. Public trust depends on our ability to keep society safe from those who once swore to protect it.
3. Mass Shooting at Philadelphia Memorial Day Cookout
On May 26, a community cookout at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, ended in tragedy when a drive-by shooting left two people dead and at least nine others injured, including several teenagers. What was meant to be a day of remembrance and fellowship turned into a chaotic scene of fear and violence, highlighting the ongoing plague of senseless shootings in urban America.
My Perspective: This shooting is yet another example of the failure to address the underlying conditions that foster violence in our cities. As a criminologist and former sheriff, I’ve long warned that reactive policing alone will not curb these tragedies. We must embrace a proactive, community-based policing model rooted in the Broken Windows theory—where minor infractions are addressed early to prevent larger crimes. The erosion of moral formation, weakened family structures, and lack of community accountability are also driving factors. Events like this reveal the consequences of depolicing and the decline in respect for law enforcement in some urban environments. We must restore trust and visibility between police and the communities they serve. Additionally, cities must prioritize event security and intelligence-led policing, especially when large crowds are expected. This is not just about enforcement, it’s about restoring a culture of order, discipline, and public responsibility.
4. Fentanyl Trafficking Charges in Kansas City
Federal prosecutors charged three individuals in Kansas City with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl after they allegedly sold counterfeit “M30” tablets—often laced with deadly doses of the synthetic opioid—to an undercover agent over the course of nearly a year. The charges come amid a nationwide crisis where fentanyl is now the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.
My Perspective: Fentanyl trafficking is the public safety crisis of our generation. This case illustrates how deadly street-level distribution networks have become, and how quickly they evolve. As someone who has worked at the intersection of law enforcement and public policy, I believe our response must be multifaceted and unrelenting. First, we must treat fentanyl trafficking as both a criminal and a national security issue. China and Mexico are complicit in the chemical supply chain, and the federal government must hold them accountable. Second, at the local level, law enforcement needs advanced tools, data-sharing, and sufficient funding to pursue these networks aggressively. However, enforcement is only one side of the coin. We must also invest in court diversion programs—such as drug courts—for non-violent users while ensuring traffickers face maximum penalties. Accountability must be paired with opportunity for reform, but not at the expense of public safety. This is a war we must fight on all fronts: with justice, with compassion, and with clarity of mission.
5. Sick Human Trafficker Sentenced
One of the most egregious crimes this week involves the sentencing of Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, a 29-year-old Indian national from Florida, who received over 10 years in U.S. federal prison for his role in a human trafficking operation that led to the deaths of an entire family from Dingucha, India. Patel and his co-conspirator, Steve Anthony Shand, were part of a smuggling network that brought Indian nationals into Canada on fake student visas and then illegally trafficked them into the U.S. In January 2022, the Patel family—Jagdish, Vaishaliben, and their two young children—died from freezing temperatures while attempting to cross the Canada-U.S. border on foot during a severe blizzard. Despite weather alerts, the operation continued, showing gross disregard for human life. The pair were convicted in November 2024 of multiple charges, including conspiracy and endangering lives for financial gain, with smuggling rates reportedly reaching $100,000 per individual.
My Perspective: This case is a stark reminder of the human cost of illegal immigration and the exploitation inherent in human trafficking networks. As a criminologist and former sheriff, I believe that while we must uphold the rule of law and secure our borders, we also have a moral obligation to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory practices. The tragic deaths of the Patel family highlight the need for comprehensive immigration reform that addresses both enforcement and humanitarian concerns. We must enhance international cooperation to dismantle trafficking networks and implement policies that provide safe and legal avenues for immigration, thereby reducing the demand for dangerous and illegal crossings.
And finally, a little bit of levity for you all!
Man Tries to Dodge Arrest by Using Brother’s Name
In a real-life comedy of errors, a California man tried to outsmart the police by giving them his brother’s name during a field stop. Unfortunately for him, his brother also had an outstanding warrant. It’s the kind of plot twist that would make a screenwriter jealous.
My Perspective: As a former sheriff, I can tell you this: if your getaway plan includes impersonating someone else, at least do your homework. This guy picked the one person in the county more wanted than he was. It’s like swapping deck chairs on the Titanic. Identity theft is never a good idea, but when the identity you choose is also in trouble, you’re not escaping, you’re just doubling down on dumb. Honestly, this is why we say, “You can’t make this stuff up.” The real world is better than Netflix. And to any would-be fugitives reading this: maybe try using your dog’s name next time, at least he’s probably clean.
This is Dr. Currie Myers, America’s Criminologist—signing off with gratitude and grit! Dive deeper into my work at drcurriemyers.substack.com and don’t forget to like, share, and spread the word. Stay sharp, stay safe, and have an incredible weekend ahead!
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