Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast

FBI Fugitive Becomes Michael Jordan’s Dealer

Oct 20, 2026 · 4h 23m

Summary

This episode features a guest recounting his life as a Chicago gang member and fugitive, detailing his early involvement in the Simon City Royals and a near-miss murder attempt. He describes his three-year flight from the FBI, during which he committed fraud and used elaborate identity theft methods to evade capture. The narrative also covers his eventual redemption, including his transition to the suburbs, his education, and his current work writing books about his criminal past.

Topics discussed

Sponsor: Progressive Insurance Name Your Price Early life and attraction to gang culture Hanging out with older gang members and stealing Sponsor: ZocDoc doctor search platform Showing his book and early gang initiation Neighborhood dynamics and late-night activities The confrontation with Bob and Wacker Podcast feedback and verifying his stories Magazine photos and the nickname 'Frenchie' Recollections of violence and the nickname 'Twat' Scott's triple life and slow maturation Meeting people and the transition period Using stolen Greek IDs and DMV encounters Credit issues and the deceased list method Business struggles and the kidnapping proposal The drug burn robbery and Wacker's role Interaction with innocent girls and self-reflection Transition to suburban life and shedding the nickname Discussion on banks and Tom Simon Police brutality and the mugshot story Refusing to join a robbery while on probation Apprehension about double probation and a deal Escaping a traffic stop with a gun First drug burn and becoming a fugitive Refusing to return the cocaine and hiding Sleeping on the floor and buying a Corvette Buying cars with cash after the robbery Observing the older guys' flawed plan The armored car robbery and police sting Mother leading police to his location The sixth sense and the elevator encounter Buying a house and straightening out his life Wacker's release and bragging rights Wacker turning himself in and keeping the bond Sponsor: The Perfect Gene NYC Meeting Stephen Bauer and moving to LA The counterfeit money scandal and Secret Service Wacker's arrest and the warning not to answer The pay phone call and federal surveillance Dealing with the feds for the first time The Colombian drug deal turning into a shootout Mob rules and the decision to kidnap the wife Planning the kidnapping of the woman The failed ambush and police involvement The interrogation and the plastic bags The traffic stop and the search of the car Escaping the police and the jacket scrutiny Hiding in the woods and finding a gas station Hiding in Georgia and the girlfriend's boyfriend Reflections on fate and John Connor Fleeing to Mexico with fake papers Struggling in Guadalajara and the call home Hiding in Chicago and the cousin's bust Reflections on crime and losing the girlfriend Friends in California and meeting celebrities Stress and coming apart at the seams The arrest in the gym and the wanted poster Relief at being caught and the Nashville arrest Transportation by private company and claustrophobia The corny cop and the counterfeit case The angel sent to him and starting a good life Peach County Jail and the punching bag Reno, Oklahoma and the prison experience Revenge plots and the plea deal for probation Mooching off friends and the restaurant scene The supplier Osvaldo and the bartender Getting a job and a passport for travel Selling boxing gloves and the Cleto Reyes brand The cigar business and the light bulb moment Seized cigars and the scale of the operation High-volume cigar sales and building a life Fitness equipment company and Gold's Gym franchise The Ukrainian wives website and Florencio The $25 an hour translator and the pageant The Philly guy and the lost accountant Leaving Odessa and the birthday plans The beautiful translator and the age difference Marriage and the four kids Family sins and the Matthew Cox show The garage business and moving to Miami Current fitness business and restaurant plans Sympathy and the lack of a girlfriend Selling yourself to a woman and forgiveness The painted hallway and the marker incident Google search results and working for someone The donor and Bill Clinton connection Hiding accomplishments and not making friends feel bad The chip on the shoulder and the old gang crew Momentum and the refusal to stop Painting and art after prison The FBI agent and the regret in the gym The ex-girlfriend and the face change The serial killer program and guilt Son's advice to start a podcast Mexican police and side money Interviewing Carlos Ledo and his lawyer Video views and the Al Vampiro interview QR code, social media, and closing thanks
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