Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ttorney General Steve Marshall to talk about a couple of things,
(00:03):
one being what's happening with transgenders and taking away the
sports records that they the men came in and crushed
on women. So more on that first, Steve, but I
wanted to get your thoughts and what's happening with the
situation in bib County with these sex traffickers and the
arrests that have been made and more arrest coming, the
victims and probably more victims coming in all of this.
(00:26):
Welcome in. Are you guys involved in your office with
this investigation at all?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
We have offered help.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
I mean, Sheriff Wade and his team think have done
a remarkable job in the swiftness of this investigation. And look,
it's not over, and I think they've made that very clear.
We've also made sure that the local prosecutors to the
extent they any resources that we're there to be able
to help. But you know, this is being driven by
a passionate group of law enforcement professionals that want to
(00:57):
provide justice here and JT. I don't know that there's
words to describe what we have heard already publicly described
as this what's involved with these kids. And I've been
in law enforcement for a long time, frankly feel like
a little hardened sometime to what I understand goes on.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
But this is one that you can't describe, you.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Know, when you look at the age of these victims.
First it was reported three years old to ten years old.
I think there's a teenager now that is a victim.
And I'm feeling like this we are just scratching the
surface on this whole situation, and it seems every other
day the more they investigate, the deeper and uglier this gets.
The picture of where this was taking place in that
(01:39):
shelter of a home, I guess it turned into some
kind of shelter and it looked like a scene out
of a horror movie. And then to see that these people,
some of them are related to some of these kids,
and the thought that a mom would sell a child
that is, you know, under the age of ten for sex.
(02:01):
To people, what is this is an evil that is
just far beyond you know, robbing a bank or you know,
killing somebody in a heat of passion or stealing a car.
This is demented and I think we're in spiritual warfare
going on here. With I mean pure evil. So when
you investigate these things, what does law enforcement go through
(02:25):
as they uncover this over and over and over again
and gets deeper and deeper and deeper. This has to
have some sort of effect on the investigators as well.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Oh absolutely, And I think not only of us scares
were prosecutors. And I would tell you somebody that's been
there in the trenches that I would have much rather
been involved with countless murder cases than one case of
child pornography or child sex obast because it's just those.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Things that they're very, very difficult to process. And even
in this case, just to show you the remarkable resilience
of law enforcement, one of the investigators is Chris Poole,
who I've gotten a chance to know and to the
extent that name is familiar to anyone, he was involved
as a victim in the shooting of his good friend
Brad Johnson when Deputy Johnson was killed a few years
(03:14):
ago in Bibb County, and so the fact that he,
as a law enforcement officer, can continue to be able
to fight to bring justice for victims despite what happened
to him demonstrates the measure of the men and women
that I get a chance to work with every.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Day well as the investigation does continue. How many agencies
do you know that are involved with us?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I think there are multiple, and one thing to remember
and I don't speak to me what may happen, but
you know there could be a federal overlay as well
as to the crimes that have been committed. And so
as you saw if you remember the case involved in
Kate McKinney, where there was a federal prosecution involving her
murder along with state charges.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
As well, this is a case likewise.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Depending on how the facts develop, an additional defendants and
victims that are found that you may see parallel cases
going on. I'm sure my federal partners are directly involved
in this. And let's not lose sight of the fact
that we have remarkable victim services and had a chance
to meet with the Child Avocacy.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Center Vin County before and they do great work.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
And one of the things that I hope that we're
able to do is not only rally around the work
that law enforcement's done, but to be able to support
those who are trying to support victims who have now
a long road ahead in their own personal recoveries.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
You know, I hope the FEDS do get involved in this.
Not that the sheriff way is not capable and not
a very you know is not you know, a good
law enforcement officer and investigative you know team he has.
But the more people you have on this and going
into it and investigating, you know, the more you can
uncover this and get to the people that are you know,
(04:55):
guilty of all of this. Not only is the traffickers themselves,
but also you know, as people that came by and
went to the shelter for the sole purpose of having
sex with kids under the age of ten. Sex trafficking
is such a big issue around our country and the
globe and a big time here in Alabama. And as
little progress it or as much progress as law enforcement
(05:17):
makes in combating this in our state, it seems that
there's so much more that we don't even know about
that goes on every day. And the familial tie with
us is I understand the majority of what these cases
are all about. It's not like Liam Neeson's Taken movie
where you grab these girls internationally and sell them to
rich millionaires in other countries. A lot of times more
(05:40):
than not, these are family members that know about this.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Yeah, it is sadly more of the norm than the exception.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
And I think a majority of the cases that I
personally prosecuted when I was the DA in Marshall County
had that family connection, and it's one that you simply
will never understand or comprehend. But I mean, the depravity
that goes along with this JT is just something that
most folks can't.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Get their heads around.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Because if there's anything that we want to be able
to do, it's that's protect and foster the safety of
our children. And those that would commit offenses like this
truly have no words. And I do think it's going
to cause an additional discussion in Alabama bill that was
submitted by Representative Stimps in the last legislative session that
(06:27):
tries to reinstate death penalty for cases involving the rape
of children. Now there is an impediment based on a
Supreme Court decision from two thousand and eight. The Supreme
Court would have to revisit and overturn for that.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
To be the case.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
But we've already seen Texas's excuse me part has adopted
a provision similar to what Albama proposed.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
I think Tennessee and Idaho have done the same thing.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
And when we hear the facts involving this case, you'll
see more of a debate about whether or not that
will be proposed again in Alabama.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Well, I've been saying for years, if you commit a
sex crime, this heinous and felony against minors, death penalties
should be most definitely on the table for this. Nine
hundred percent support that and hope we can get that
going through. These people are sickos, all right, quickly, Steve,
I wanted to get your thoughts on what's happening with
you and other attorneys general in the fight to get
(07:24):
these transgender males records out of the record books. When
it comes to competing with women. Where are we in
the process here?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yeah, I think this is again that continued fight that
we've had in Alabama to make sure that we restore
the integrity of women's sports and allow for women to
compete fairly and come in the NCAA for adopting as
President Trump required that women will compete against women, invent
against men. But let's go now rectify the harms of
(07:53):
the past. I mean, look, when the University of Pennsylvania
not the bastion of conservatism right link to strip transgender
swimmers of what they accomplished and athletics and the NCAA
needs to be able to demonstrate their leadership here and
fix the realms that they created.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
And so we had I believe twenty seven state attorneys
general reach out.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
To the NCAA with a letter this week say and
do the right thing by women's sports, and we hope
that we'll get a very favorable response.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Well, I don't even know how we got to this point.
I mean, what's going on in our world, I mean
upside down and everything that's wrong is right, I mean
men and women's sports. It's insane actually. But thanks to
Riley Gaines and others that have pushed this to write
the ship, if you will, and thank you for the
work you've been doing on this. To our Attorney General
Steve Marshall, thank you, Steve. Appreciate you, buddy. Have a
(08:45):
good weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Thank you too,
Ttorney General Steve Marshall to talk about a couple of things,
(00:03):
one being what's happening with transgenders and taking away the
sports records that they the men came in and crushed
on women. So more on that first, Steve, but I
wanted to get your thoughts and what's happening with the
situation in bib County with these sex traffickers and the
arrests that have been made and more arrest coming, the
victims and probably more victims coming in all of this.
(00:26):
Welcome in. Are you guys involved in your office with
this investigation at all?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
We have offered help.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
I mean, Sheriff Wade and his team think have done
a remarkable job in the swiftness of this investigation. And look,
it's not over, and I think they've made that very clear.
We've also made sure that the local prosecutors to the
extent they any resources that we're there to be able
to help. But you know, this is being driven by
a passionate group of law enforcement professionals that want to
(00:57):
provide justice here and JT. I don't know that there's
words to describe what we have heard already publicly described
as this what's involved with these kids. And I've been
in law enforcement for a long time, frankly feel like
a little hardened sometime to what I understand goes on.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
But this is one that you can't describe, you.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Know, when you look at the age of these victims.
First it was reported three years old to ten years old.
I think there's a teenager now that is a victim.
And I'm feeling like this we are just scratching the
surface on this whole situation, and it seems every other
day the more they investigate, the deeper and uglier this gets.
The picture of where this was taking place in that
(01:39):
shelter of a home, I guess it turned into some
kind of shelter and it looked like a scene out
of a horror movie. And then to see that these people,
some of them are related to some of these kids,
and the thought that a mom would sell a child
that is, you know, under the age of ten for sex.
(02:01):
To people, what is this is an evil that is
just far beyond you know, robbing a bank or you know,
killing somebody in a heat of passion or stealing a car.
This is demented and I think we're in spiritual warfare
going on here. With I mean pure evil. So when
you investigate these things, what does law enforcement go through
(02:25):
as they uncover this over and over and over again
and gets deeper and deeper and deeper. This has to
have some sort of effect on the investigators as well.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Oh absolutely, And I think not only of us scares
were prosecutors. And I would tell you somebody that's been
there in the trenches that I would have much rather
been involved with countless murder cases than one case of
child pornography or child sex obast because it's just those.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Things that they're very, very difficult to process. And even
in this case, just to show you the remarkable resilience
of law enforcement, one of the investigators is Chris Poole,
who I've gotten a chance to know and to the
extent that name is familiar to anyone, he was involved
as a victim in the shooting of his good friend
Brad Johnson when Deputy Johnson was killed a few years
(03:14):
ago in Bibb County, and so the fact that he,
as a law enforcement officer, can continue to be able
to fight to bring justice for victims despite what happened
to him demonstrates the measure of the men and women
that I get a chance to work with every.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Day well as the investigation does continue. How many agencies
do you know that are involved with us?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I think there are multiple, and one thing to remember
and I don't speak to me what may happen, but
you know there could be a federal overlay as well
as to the crimes that have been committed. And so
as you saw if you remember the case involved in
Kate McKinney, where there was a federal prosecution involving her
murder along with state charges.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
As well, this is a case likewise.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Depending on how the facts develop, an additional defendants and
victims that are found that you may see parallel cases
going on. I'm sure my federal partners are directly involved
in this. And let's not lose sight of the fact
that we have remarkable victim services and had a chance
to meet with the Child Avocacy.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Center Vin County before and they do great work.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
And one of the things that I hope that we're
able to do is not only rally around the work
that law enforcement's done, but to be able to support
those who are trying to support victims who have now
a long road ahead in their own personal recoveries.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
You know, I hope the FEDS do get involved in this.
Not that the sheriff way is not capable and not
a very you know is not you know, a good
law enforcement officer and investigative you know team he has.
But the more people you have on this and going
into it and investigating, you know, the more you can
uncover this and get to the people that are you know,
(04:55):
guilty of all of this. Not only is the traffickers themselves,
but also you know, as people that came by and
went to the shelter for the sole purpose of having
sex with kids under the age of ten. Sex trafficking
is such a big issue around our country and the
globe and a big time here in Alabama. And as
little progress it or as much progress as law enforcement
(05:17):
makes in combating this in our state, it seems that
there's so much more that we don't even know about
that goes on every day. And the familial tie with
us is I understand the majority of what these cases
are all about. It's not like Liam Neeson's Taken movie
where you grab these girls internationally and sell them to
rich millionaires in other countries. A lot of times more
(05:40):
than not, these are family members that know about this.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Yeah, it is sadly more of the norm than the exception.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
And I think a majority of the cases that I
personally prosecuted when I was the DA in Marshall County
had that family connection, and it's one that you simply
will never understand or comprehend. But I mean, the depravity
that goes along with this JT is just something that
most folks can't.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Get their heads around.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Because if there's anything that we want to be able
to do, it's that's protect and foster the safety of
our children. And those that would commit offenses like this
truly have no words. And I do think it's going
to cause an additional discussion in Alabama bill that was
submitted by Representative Stimps in the last legislative session that
(06:27):
tries to reinstate death penalty for cases involving the rape
of children. Now there is an impediment based on a
Supreme Court decision from two thousand and eight. The Supreme
Court would have to revisit and overturn for that.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
To be the case.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
But we've already seen Texas's excuse me part has adopted
a provision similar to what Albama proposed.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
I think Tennessee and Idaho have done the same thing.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
And when we hear the facts involving this case, you'll
see more of a debate about whether or not that
will be proposed again in Alabama.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Well, I've been saying for years, if you commit a
sex crime, this heinous and felony against minors, death penalties
should be most definitely on the table for this. Nine
hundred percent support that and hope we can get that
going through. These people are sickos, all right, quickly, Steve,
I wanted to get your thoughts on what's happening with
you and other attorneys general in the fight to get
(07:24):
these transgender males records out of the record books. When
it comes to competing with women. Where are we in
the process here?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yeah, I think this is again that continued fight that
we've had in Alabama to make sure that we restore
the integrity of women's sports and allow for women to
compete fairly and come in the NCAA for adopting as
President Trump required that women will compete against women, invent
against men. But let's go now rectify the harms of
(07:53):
the past. I mean, look, when the University of Pennsylvania
not the bastion of conservatism right link to strip transgender
swimmers of what they accomplished and athletics and the NCAA
needs to be able to demonstrate their leadership here and
fix the realms that they created.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
And so we had I believe twenty seven state attorneys
general reach out.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
To the NCAA with a letter this week say and
do the right thing by women's sports, and we hope
that we'll get a very favorable response.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Well, I don't even know how we got to this point.
I mean, what's going on in our world, I mean
upside down and everything that's wrong is right, I mean
men and women's sports. It's insane actually. But thanks to
Riley Gaines and others that have pushed this to write
the ship, if you will, and thank you for the
work you've been doing on this. To our Attorney General
Steve Marshall, thank you, Steve. Appreciate you, buddy. Have a
(08:45):
good weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Thank you too,
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