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March 16, 2025 58 mins

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Welcome to part one of a special two part show with former FBI Special Agent, Zach Schoffstall. 

Zach started serving his country as an intelligence officer in the United States air force where he was stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan for four years. He then continued to serve his country transitioning from his military career to becoming a special agent in the FBI where he served for 16 years. 

While at the FBI, Zach rose to the rank of Supervisory Special Agent working at a variety of work locations throughout the United States and variety of assignments including, teaching practical applications, tactics, and firearms, SWAT operator and team leader, being on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Safe Streets Gang Task Force, DEA Narcotics Task Force, and Virginia State Police Narcotics Task Force, and eventually Provided leadership as the Supervisory Senior Special Agent in charge of all counterterrorism and criminal investigations in North Idaho.  

Due to a series of events that were politically motivated, and illegal, his life was turned upside down and was eventually terminated for upholding the law and doing the right thing.

This is a story of corruption and abuse of power that went to the top of the FBI food chain. Zach and his family were punished for him standing up to his corrupt supervisors who bent to political pressure, instead of following the law and doing the right thing. Zach never imagined that “Never embarrass the bureau” mantra would have cost him so much and forced him into being a whistleblower, and eventually costing him his distinguished career. 

I wanted you all to get to know Zach, the man and his life and career progression. You can’t help but like this guy. He served his country in many ways and was thrown under the bus by the agency that he devoted his life to. So, this episode is mostly devoted to that. Next week’s episode will dive deeper into the ugly circumstances that cost this good man his career.

In today’s episode we discuss:.

·      How does a kid from Montana who was thinking of becoming a race car driver become an FBI agent?. 

·      Zach’s path into military duty. What exactly does an intelligence officer do?

·      Zach’s distinguished career progression with the FBI. 

·      Zach being SWAT and firearms instructor. What exactly is a FBI SWAT operator?

·      Working on task forces.

·      Transferred to Idaho as a boss. What was that rank and responsibilities?

·      Two big issues Zach was forewarned about, US Attorney’s office and Violent crime task force. How did this play out?

·      What Zach thought of FBI leadership at this point of his career. 

Visit Zach on Instagram at zach_schoffstall

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book,
The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!


What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

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