The First Degree

Epstein, aliens, and Everest, oh my! It’s a scam filled week over here at the Deep Dive, and we are exposing them all. From Mount Everest fraud, to alien controversy, to valley girl humanoid robots visiting the White House. And you know we couldn’t leave you hanging without giving you the latest tea on Blake & Justin. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the morning of March 31, 2025, a mother goes to wake her son for school and finds his room empty. He is 21 years old, autistic, and vulnerable, and his routine is something he never breaks. But that morning, he is gone without a trace. As a widespread search begins and days pass with no answers, questions start to shift from where he went…to when someone took him. In episode 397, Jac and Alexis examine the disappearance of Jonathan Hoang and the urgent search to bring him home. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

*** BONUS EPISODE ALERT*** A disturbing scandal has surfaced in Peoria involving Centennial High School, where two female teachers from the same campus are accused of grooming the same male student, an allegation that has shocked the community and ignited intense scrutiny. One of the teachers, 27-year-old Haley Beck, is the sister of TikTok star turned actor Noah Beck, adding a layer of public attention to an already deeply troubling case. In this premium episode, Jac and Lex break down the rapidly unfolding details, examining how the alleged relationships developed, the warning signs that may have been missed, and the broader questions this case raises about power, access, and accountability inside schools. If you enjoyed this bonus episode in your feed this week, there's more where that came from, a LOT more... 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re all over the place with this weeks deep dive! Starting off with the headlines: government bimbo fetishes, Lindsey Graham (who has no kids) waving around a bubble wand at Disneyland while TSA workers still aren’t being paid, and allegedly the bullet that killed Charlie Kirk didn’t match Tyler Robinson’s gun (surprise surprise!). Then we pull the Epstein string to uncover some disgustingly similar operations in the 1970’s. It truly doesn’t stop! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In February 2008, two trusted members of the Turlock, California community - a police officer and a teacher - are both accused of exploiting their positions to prey on a 17-year-old student. As the cases unfold, shocking details emerge about how the abuse began and how it was hidden. Years later, another respected educator from the same town is exposed for an inappropriate relationship with a student, setting off a chain of events that will eventually lead to a Dr. Phil appearance and a criminal investigation that stretches across decades. In episode 396, Jac and Alexis explore the crimes of officer Jorge Cruz and teacher James Hooker, and how patterns of grooming, manipulation, and abuse continued long after the first warning signs appeared. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I’m not Epstein, I’m Palm Beach Pete!” Or, at least that’s what Epstein’s new viral doppelgänger says. We deep dive this fascinating man on today’s episode, as well as other bizarre Epstein related headlines. But the important topic at hand is a book called The Tell, by a woman named Amy Griffin who allegedly stole an entire life story of abuse from her former classmate. It. Is. Wild. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special true crime crossover, we joined Vanessa Richardson and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels on Serial Killers and Murderous Minds for a two-part deep dive into Heaven’s Gate. For part 2 and our extended discussion with Dr. Engels , follow Serial Killers and Murderous Minds wherever you listen to podcasts. In the 1970s, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles emerged with a radical message: they were celestial beings sent to guide humanity to the “Next Level.” What began as a small spiritual study group slowly transformed into a tightly controlled community built on isolation, strict behavioral codes, and the rejection of earthly identity. As belief deepened, individuality disappeared, and devotion to the mission became absolute. In Part 1, Vanessa and Dr. Engels examine how Applewhite’s personal crises, religious fixation, and apocalyptic thinking evolved into a doctrine that demanded total surrender. It’s a chilling look at how ordinary people searching for purpose and connection became entangled in a worldview where doubt was no longer allowed to exist. To hear us in Part 2, including our extended discussion with Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Engels, be sure to follow Serial Killers and Murderous Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Follow and listen here: https://play.megaphone.fm/fsc89gpqrvo6x6s_v1clyw 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week, another handful of Epstein bombshells. We’re talking about the prison guard working during Epstein’s death being set to testify to congress, Hillary Clinton’s Epstein inspired merch, and Vera Wang’s bizarre connection to Epstein. And we end the episode on a completely unrelated mini deep dive of Rebel Wilson’s wild scandal we’ve never even heard about before today! It’s nuts, we promise. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In early January 1985, a 20-year-old National Guardsman is on a training exercise in Henderson, Nevada. The ambitious and intelligent young man has a strong moral compass guiding him in his career. That is, until one day, when he’s confronted with a difficult choice and thrust into a situation out of his control. The cascade of choices he makes next change the course of his life in an entirely unanticipated way, altering his path forever. In episode 395, Jac and Alexis detail the intriguing story of Jerry Mathes, and how his journey through the criminal justice system and out the other side of incarceration forced him to mourn the kind of man he not only had been, but deep down face who he really wanted to be. This is a tale of the spiritually redemptive power of memoir and using one’s voice to reclaim both the truth and a new perspective on life-changing events. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even though the world has seemingly moved on from Epstein, we refuse to stop talking about it. This week we are diving into the headlines of the week, including the new bestie statues of Trump & Epstein, the new search of Zorro Ranch, and the Clinton questioning. Then we’re going through the latest release of two victim’s accounts from Epstein’s Palm Beach home. And we end the episode with a good ole fashioned existential crisis. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices