The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Barry Minkow is one of the most infamous financial scam artists in American History. By the age of 21 he was running a ponzi scheme worth a billion dollars. He made history by being the youngest person to take a company public with his carpet cleaning business. But what people didn't know was that Barry was using money from the mafia to help fund this business. He ran bank and wire fraud, embezzled money from investors, and much more. Barry was so committed to running scams that he's been convicted more than once- one of these convictions came down WHILE he was helping the feds in fraud cases. He ended serving time in federal prison and turned his life around. He works now with the federal government go after companies that are committing fraud just like he used to. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oscar Castro grew up in New Jersey to a loving family. When he dropped out of high school he immediately got a job and met someone that talked him into being a drug mule for a Colombian organization. As law enforcement began cracking down in Colombia the operations moved to Ecuador. One on pickup Oscar was arrested in Ecuador by Interpol and the DEA. From there he spent 7 years in some of the most horrific jails and prisons in Ecuador where death, drugs, and riots lasting for weeks were common occurrences. He's here to tell us all about his experiences and his journey to turning his life around and wanting to help others avoid going down the path he did as a young man. This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsors: PRIZEPICKS Visit https://www.prizepicks.com/ or download the app today and use code CONNECT for a first deposit match up to $100! MOOD Head over to https://hellomood.co/ and use code CONNECT20 at checkout for 20% off your first order PLUS a free 5 count pack of gummies! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dominick Cicale grew up in the Bronx burrow of New York City. Surrounded by criminal activity he quickly started associating with mafia and eventually became a "Made Man" with the Bonanno Crime Family. Before long he was made a captain and had over 20 soldiers working for him. He was involved in racketeering, illegal gambling, and even murder. After a particular hit went down he ended up cooperating with the Federal Government to help take down other associates, served time in federal prison, and eventually left the life of crime. Today he is a successful business man and living a fulfilling life with his family. He joins the show to tell his incredible story of going into the deepest depths of organized crime and coming out the other side a changed man! Go Support Dom! EG Vodka: https://egvodka.com/ Preorder The Book: https://theperfectcrimefamily.com/ Podcast: @mafiaroundtable Support the show and secure your online data at https://www.expressvpn.com/CONNECTPOD Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garet McLendon shares his story of going from addiction and prison gangs to sobriety and recovery. Step into Summer fun activities with Vessi. Visit vessi.com/connect for an automatic 15% off your first purchase at checkout! Garet grew up in Palmdale CA. At a young age he was exposed to the drugs that were rampant in his community. He quickly found himself not only addicted to drugs, but selling them to support his habit. This life led him to spending time in and out of some of America's most dangerous prisons. While in prison he joined gangs and even became a shot caller. Garet is here to share his stories of not just surviving maximum security prison, but his path to sobriety and recovery and how he's helping others get off drugs and avoid the mistakes and lifestyle choices he made as a young man. Go Support Garet and contact him if you need help with addiction recovery! IG: https://www.instagram.com/garetmclendon/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mc4qAxpztC6D20wzeS91C Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Myron Gaines is the well known and very controversial host of the Fresh And Fit Podcast. What a lot of people don’t know is before he became a famous podcaster and fitness coach, he was a special agent with Homeland Security. After attending Northwestern University, Myron started working with HSI in Loredo, Texas. He was involved with Mexican Cartel stings, wiretaps, undercover operations, and immigration. He joins the show today to tell all about his time as a federal agent, how that field ACTUALLY works, and ultimately that caused him to leave. Go Support Myron's Channels! Fresh And Fit Podcast: @FreshFitMiami Fed Reacts: @FedReacts This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsor: PRIZEPICKS! Head over to https://www.prizepicks.com/connect and use promo code CONNECT for a first deposit match up to $100! Support the show and visit https://www.dietsmoke.com/FREE to try Diet Smoke gummies. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve James learned the power of money at a young age. In rural Georgia during the 1950s he discovered the basics of business by watching his grandfather hustle ranchers for cattle. He took these lessons and applied them to crime. By the age of 13 he was smuggling in pot from Panama and became the main distributer in his town. He continued scaling his business which eventually led to him trafficking seeds from Afghanistan and starting the first indica grows on the island of Jamaica. He's here to tell us all about his life story; crime, addiction, betrayal and a federal case that landed him the crosshairs of the FBI. Go Support Steve! Website: https://indicathebook.com/ Book On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Indica-Steven-Person-Marijuana-Jamaica-ebook/dp/B09HHNSM4Z This Episode Is #Sponsored By MANDO! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code MITCHELL at www.shopmando.com! #mandopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Cox shares the details that led to him becoming one of the most wanted men in America by the FBI and the Secret Service. He started as an honest insurance salesman and quickly found himself committing fraud as a mortgage lender. It wasn't long before he found himself creating and stealing identities, forging real estate documents, opening credit lines, faking deaths and borrowing more than 11 million dollars from banks all across the country. Go Support Matt! IG: https://www.instagram.com/insidetruecrime/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@matthewcoxtruecrime YouTube: @InsideTrueCrime FaceBook: https://m.facebook.com/MatthewCoxTrueCrime/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Housing-Pool-Matthew-Cox/dp/B0851KBYCF Art: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoxPopArt This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsor: RocketMoney! Visit https://www.rocketmoney.com/connect and stop wasting your money TODAY! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding multi-layered news like government corruption is easier with Ground News. Go to https://ground.news/theconnect to get 30% off their unlimited access Vantage plan. Jeff Turner is a brilliantly talented designer and printer. Little did he know that those skills would help feed a drug addiction by printing some of the most realistic counterfeit bills that the Secret Service has ever seen. He has been described as the Picasso of counterfeit money. Jeff joins the show to detail how he taught himself the art of printing fake money, the rise of his scam, and the moment he was caught by the federal government and sent to prison. His work was so legendary that the Feds praised him for his sophistication and even had him film tutorials for them on his process. Today he is running a legitimate printing business, sober and being a positive influence for his kids! Go Support Jeff! IG: https://www.instagram.com/j.turner727/ Website: https://graphicalwarehouse.com/ YouTube: @jeffreypatrickturner Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matty Boy hails from California’s Bay Area. As a young kid he was exposed to the criminal life by his parents who were both affiliated with the Hell’s Angels and CA prison gangs. It wasn’t long before he joined the life and started selling huge amounts of meth. In this time he started a street gang called FAIM- Family Affiliated Irish Mafia. This path sent him straight to federal court where he was looking at potentially life in prison. He’s here to talk about his life in the criminal world, starting a white prison gang, and how he turned his life around and started his new chapter as a well known rapper! Go Support Matty Boy! IG: https://www.instagram.com/mattyboy1417/ YouTube: @mattyboymusic4020 This episode is sponsored by PRIZEPICKS! Head over to https://www.prizepicks.com/connect and use promo code CONNECT for a first deposit match up to $100! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Criminal Defense Lawyer, Nicholas Rosenberg, has defended some of the most dangerous people in the criminal world of Los Angeles. He walks us through the unconventional road he took to criminal law. He goes into detail about how the criminal justice system works, the corruption, and the tips he has for anyone that gets caught up in the law. Plus a discussion about a current case he’s working that is on the path to become an historical case in the state of California! Go Support Rosenberg! Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANVDdM0IcE IG: https://www.instagram.com/attorneyrosenberg/ Website: https://losangelesdefenders.com/ This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsor: RocketMoney! Visit https://www.rocketmoney.com/connect and stop wasting your money TODAY! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JD Delay spent much of his life in and out of prison. So much so, that he eventually found himself as the shot caller for the Irish Pride prison gang in Oregon’s maximum security prison. He explains how he climbed the ranks, the politics on the inside, the horrors he witnessed and the ones he partook in. He also describes the moment he chose to turn his life around, get sober, and help others in recovery when he got out to make sure no one goes down the same path he did. It’s a must listen! Go Support JD! YouTube: @JdDelay5150 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jddelay5150?lang=en Clothing Brand: https://convictclothing.net/ This episode is sponsored by PRIZEPICKS! Head over to https://www.prizepicks.com/connect and use promo code CONNECT for a first deposit match up to $100! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Use CONNECT to get 55% off your first month at Scentbird https://sbird.co/3S97oZX This month I received... Sugar Leather by Une Nuit Nomade https://sbird.co/47N4JLh French Defense by Mind Games https://sbird.co/3SsriAC Cross River Gorilla by Sanctuary https://sbird.co/3u6mIyA Vidal Guzman was a troublemaker as a young kid in Harlem. His knack for stick-ups and robberies landed him in Rikers Island at the age of 16. When he went back at the age of 19 he was a member of the Bloods Gang. While he spent years in Rikers before serving his time in prison he was subject to inhumane conditions by not only the other inmates but by the faculty and the state of the facilities. Once he got out for good he became an organizer working to shut Rikers down for good. He’s here to tell us about his experience on the island and the SUCCESSFUL campaign he’s been a part of! Go Support Vidal! Organization: https://www.americaontrialinc.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamvidalguzman/?hl=en To donate to AOT visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/AmericaOnTrialFundraiser/donate?ucdirect=1 00:00:00 - Surviving Rikers Island 00:07:34 - Criminal Upbringing and Family Influence 00:14:51 - Living in Washington Heights  00:22:40 - From the Hood Vikings to the Bloods 00:30:19 - The Beginning of Neighborhood Protection 00:37:56 - Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood 00:45:39 - Introduction to Rikers Island 00:53:27 - The Rocking Spots and Gang Violence at Rikers Island 01:01:12 - Survival in the Violence of the Streets 01:09:25 - Surviving In Jail 01:16:46 - Facing Harassment and Trouble with the Law 01:24:30 - Life in the Hood and Joining the Bloods 01:32:11 - Bloods and Street Organization 01:40:12 - Discussing parole and probation violations 01:48:17 - The Phone Business in Prisons and its Dangers 01:56:00 - Violent Incidents on Rikers Island 02:04:06 - Life in Gangs and Solitary Confinement 02:12:08 - Losing Good Time and the Impact on Parole 02:19:56 - Violations and Dangers of Rikers Island 02:27:45 - Closing Rikers and the Impact 02:35:46 - Sponsorship Announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gene Borrello was part of the last generation of NYC’s wild wise guys. He joined the Bonnano Crime Family at a young age and quickly got close with the family’s boss. His reputation of violence and brutality made him a name that everyone in the city feared. After being indicted on RICO charges he eventually flipped on his former crime associates and entered witness protection. He’s here to tell us all about the final days of the mob as the world knew it! Go Follow Gene! IG: https://www.instagram.com/geneborrello/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcEOVWzV1YqvHd0vn94aeFLJrLgntzqP Book: https://www.amazon.com/Born-LIfe-Borrello-Ex-Bonanno-Enforcer/dp/1667805576 This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsor: RocketMoney! Visit https://www.rocketmoney.com/connect and stop wasting your money TODAY! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ray Trapani is one of the minds behind Centra Tech; a cryptocurrency company that defrauded HALF A BILLION DOLLARS from investors. He and two friends created the business selling the idea of a new tech that didn't actually exist yet. His story has trauma, wild parties, addiction, an imaginary CEO, faked deaths, Floyd Mayweather and so much more! Go Follow Ray! IG: https://www.instagram.com/raytrapani/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Ruggiano was quite literally BORN into the mafia. His father was Fat Andy Runggiano, one of the most notorious capos for the Gambino Crime Family. It didn’t take long for Anthony to follow his father’s footsteps and start earning for the mob. He came up with John Gotti and the two became close friends and associates. Living a life of extortion, burglary, murder, and drug addiction took its toll on Anthony landing him in and out of prison. Then one he was picked up by the FBI in a RICO indictment that eventually led to him becoming a federal witness, landed him in witness protection, and eventually turned his life around. Today, he is sober, legitimate, and coming to terms with the regrets and guilt of his prior life. He’s here to talk all about it! Go Support Anthony! Website: https://www.anthonyruggiano.com/ YouTube: @AnthonyRuggiano IG: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyruggianojr/ This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsor: Go to PrizePicks.com/connect and use code connect for a first deposit match up to $100! Support the show and get 50% off of Factor at https://www.factormeals.com/CONNECT50 and use code CONNECT50 Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freeway Ricky Ross has one of the most infamous drug dealer stories in the world. He is undoubtedly a part of American history and by far one of the most requested guests on The Connect. Rick joins the show to discuss his time as one of the lynchpins of the crack epidemic in the 1980s, his regrets and lessons learned, finding out he was a pawn in an illegal CIA operation and how he got out from under a life sentence in prison. He also discusses his new life after prison, how he’s helping others learn from his mistakes, and his new business ventures! Go Support Rick! Books and Merch: https://b7eab896-adc4-474a-9ab1-56ec7dd1576a.godaddysites.com/shop YouTube: @FreewayRickyRoss1 New Shop In LA: https://www.instagram.com/freewayrickys/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/freewayricky/ Website: https://freewayrickyross.com/ This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsor: Support the show and visit MOOD Go to https://hellomood.co/ and use code CONNECT20 for 20% off your order and code CONNECTFREE for a FREE 5ct pack of gummies! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tegan Broadwater joins the show to explain exactly how he, a touring musician, became a cop in Fort Worth, Texas and ended up going undercover and infiltrating one of the most notorious Crip gang sets in all of Texas. He gives details of how he climbed the ranks, was almost found several times, had close encounters with death, and eventually took the set down in a 51 man roundup. Go Support Tegan! Life In The Fish Bowl Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578661624 YouTube: @UncommonSouls IG: https://www.instagram.com/teganbroadwater/?hl=en Website: https://teganbroadwater.com/ This Episode Is Brought To You By The Following Sponsors: Support the show and visit MOOD Go to https://hellomood.co/ and CONNECT20 for 20% off your order and code CONNECTFREE for a FREE 5ct pack of gummies! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rich Laferrere was a simple dispatcher and driver for a transportation company in a small Connecticut town. Before too long he found himself putting those skills to use smuggling pot all across the eastern seaboard. This new found business eventually scaled to the point of having connects across the country and eventually landing him in the spot as the top logistics person in the US for the most notorious crime family in Canada. He was making millions, powerful and respected...until one day it all came crashing down and he was face to face with the federal government. Today he consults with the DEA and lives a prosperous life running his own business, a far cry from his days as a smuggling kingpin! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mc4qAxpztC6D20wzeS91C Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we bring you a completely exclusive interview with a migrant smuggler who has asked to remain anonymous. He spoke with us at the El Paso/Juarez border. He goes into detail about how he got involved in helping migrants cross the border, the organizations and cartels that run the operation, how and why migrants are coming over, as well as insight into the treatment of these on both sides of the border and the direction he believes this is all headed. It’s a one of a kind, fascinating conversation with a perspective you won’t get anywhere else! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices