Alphabet Boys

iHeartPodcasts and Western Sound

Alphabet Boys reveals the secret investigations of the FBI, DEA, ATF, and other alphabet agencies. Hosted by journalist Trevor Aaronson, Alphabet Boys exposes secret undercover recordings that the government never wanted the public to hear. We explore cases that are both dangerous and absurd in order to ask this question: Are America’s top cops catching criminals -- or creating them?

Season two is “Up In Arms.” An international weapons deal to arm rebels in Colombia tangles up the DEA, the CIA, and the FBI in the same case. But who’s the good guy? And who’s the bad guy? This spy story is not at all what it seems.

Alphabet Boys is a production of Western Sound.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

True CrimeTrue Crime

GovernmentGovernment

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Introducing: Alphabet Boys: Season One, Trojan Hearse

Introducing: Alphabet Boys: Season One, Trojan Hearse

Alphabet Boys takes you inside the secret investigations that federal agents never wanted you to know about. At the center of this podcast is one disturbing question: Are America’s top cops catching criminals -- or creating them? https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2

Introducing: Alphabet Boys: Season 2, Up in Arms

Introducing: Alphabet Boys: Season 2, Up in Arms

Alphabet Boys, Season 2 is “Up In Arms.” An international weapons deal to arm rebels in Colombia tangles up the DEA, the CIA, and the FBI in the same case. But who’s the good guy? And who’s the bad guy? This spy story is not at all what it seems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. I Work for the CIA

1. I Work for the CIA

Flaviu Georgescu is arrested by DEA agents in Montenegro for brokering an illegal weapons deal on behalf of rebels in Colombia. But there’s a wrinkle the arresting agents didn’t consider: Flaviu claims he’s working for the CIA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being approached to procure weapons for Colombian rebels, Flaviu calls the CIA. “I have information for you,” Flaviu tells the agent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3. Codename Cardmember

3. Codename Cardmember

Is Flaviu a trusted source for the U.S. government? In 2001, while living in Las Vegas, Flaviu became a longtime “friend” to the FBI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4. Something We Might Look Into

4. Something We Might Look Into

With Flaviu’s help, the FBI busts an organized crime ring in Las Vegas. But a death threat causes him to flee to Europe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5. You Guys Are Not Serious

5. You Guys Are Not Serious

Flaviu is talking to a wide-bellied Colombian named Juan about a deal to sell weapons to the FARC, a paramilitary group. But the arms deal hits a snag in Italy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6. The Ramp Rat

6. The Ramp Rat

Juan isn’t who he says is. He’s made millions pretending to be someone he’s not.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7. Let's Make This Happen, Bro

7. Let's Make This Happen, Bro

Flaviu recruits Cristian Vintila, a Romanian government official, to help him facilitate the arms deal for Juan. But Cristian has some concerns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8. Welcome to the Sh*tshow

8. Welcome to the Sh*tshow

The arms deal is taking shape. But Flaviu and Cristian need one more person to bring everything together: a flamboyant Italian politician named Massimo Romagnoli.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9. Tomorrow I'm Going to Rob the Bank

9. Tomorrow I'm Going to Rob the Bank

After their arrests, Flaviu, Cristian, and Massimo are extradited to New York. Flaviu soon finds that everyone has an agenda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10. See Something, Say Nothing

10. See Something, Say Nothing

Flaviu says he tried to be a good American. He wanted to help the United States. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alphabet Boys, One Year Later

Alphabet Boys, One Year Later

The ACLU is suing the FBI. Zebb Hall has a recording to share. And I found Mickey Windecker. Lots more information coming on Trevor's substack: https://trevoraaronson.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 1

1. Summer of Rage

1. Summer of Rage

It’s the summer of 2020. After the brutal killings of unarmed Black Americans by law enforcement, the nation is a tinderbox of anger. The pandemic is raging. Protestors and police are violently going toe-to-toe in cities across America. Denver sees some of the most intense protests. Amid the clashes, a new guy rolls into town. He’s got a cigar dangling from his lips and he’s driving a silver hearse filled with guns. https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2. All the Way Uptown

2. All the Way Uptown

Michael Adam Windecker II, or Mickey, returns to Denver after fighting ISIS in the Middle East. Mickey claims he trained real antifa warriors, that he represents the Kurdish government, and that he has diplomatic immunity. He puts himself right in the middle of the Denver protests. Activist Zebb Hall is enthralled with Mickey’s message — that the fight against racism needs to escalate. “If that's what you want,” Mickey tells Zebb, “I can make it happen.” https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3. Black Identity Extremism

3. Black Identity Extremism

Today, the FBI has more than 15,000 registered informants, and in the summer of 2020, Mickey is one of them. He’s getting paid a lot of money to expose crimes committed by activists. But his official motivation? “To fight terrorists.” The FBI thinks the same way — that racial justice activists are “anti-government extremists.” https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4. The Punisher

4. The Punisher

Mickey is obsessed with The Punisher, the Marvel Comics antihero who delivers his own brand of arbitrary, violent justice. In this episode, we talk to Casandra Windecker, Mickey’s ex-wife. Cassie met Mickey through the Denver Hearse Association, a community where Mickey was well known for his participation in zombie apocalypse cosplay events and a bit part in a locally produced grindhouse movie. But their relationship quickly turned toxic, and Cassie began to wonder where Mickey was getting thousands of dollars in cash that he’d spread out on the bed. https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5. Give 'Em Hell

5. Give 'Em Hell

Alongside a couple of activists with the Young Democratic Socialists of America, Mickey infiltrates the Denver protest scene. He also starts spreading rumors that a leader of the demonstrations is a snitch. Meanwhile, the protests in Denver are becoming increasingly violent as Mickey leads the way in his silver hearse. https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6. Dumpster Fire

6. Dumpster Fire

Mickey now has two targets: activist Zebb Hall and a verbal bomb-thrower named Bryce Shelby. Mickey takes Zebb and Bryce out to lunch and tells them both that he’s got a guy who can help them do something big. Really big. Will Zebb and Bryce take the bait? https://alphabetboys.xyz/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7. They Call Me Juice

7. They Call Me Juice

Another mystery man, nicknamed Red, comes to town. He’s Mickey’s so-called “outlaw biker buddy.” Red takes activist Bryce Shelby for a drive to scope out the home of Colorado’s attorney general as part of a budding assassination plot. But Red lets something slip that makes Bryce suspicious.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FBI’s investigation into activists spreads beyond Denver. In Colorado Springs, a provocatively dressed woman with pink hair shows up to volunteer at a left-wing nonprofit organization. And just like Mickey, she’s taking orders from the FBI. But after several activists are arrested, the pink-haired woman’s cover is blown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.