In Part V of The War We Owe Them, Dave and Steve sit down with Sean Wheeler, founder of Starfish Ministries Colorado and a survivor of child sex trafficking. Sean shares his story in his own words, including the grooming and abuse he endured as a young boy, his experience being exploited in child sexual abuse material, and the ritual abuse that shaped his early years. He offers a perspective that is too often missing in public conversations, the voice of a male survivor. Sean speaks candidly about the myths that silence boys and men, the stigma surrounding female offenders, and the reality that trafficking does not always look the way people imagine.

Sean also discusses his experiences with law enforcement and the broader system, highlighting what helped, what hurt, and what investigators must better understand about trauma responses. As a member of the Survivor’s Council with PACT and founder of Starfish Ministries, Sean continues to advocate for accountability, prevention, and a future where every survivor, regardless of gender, is seen, believed, and protected.

Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) Website:

https://www.wearepact.org/

PACT Survivor’s Council:

https://www.wearepact.org/about-us/#survivors-council

Starfish Ministries Colorado:

https://www.starfishcolorado.org

Sean's Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Wretch-Haunted-Shadows-Rescued-Jesus/dp/1498486738

Sean's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerseanm/

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In Part IV of The War We Owe Them, Dave and Steve sit down with Chantal, a mother, entrepreneur, and survivor of human trafficking. In a courageous and deeply personal conversation, Chantal shares her story in her own words, offering insight into the warning signs others may have missed, the myths that harm survivors, and the trauma responses that are often misunderstood. She speaks openly about what trafficking looks like in real life, why victims don’t always leave or report immediately, and the turning points that made healing possible.

Chantal serves on the Survivor’s Council with PACT and engages in legislative advocacy with members of Congress to promote systemic change and prevent child sexual exploitation. Dave and Steve explore what law enforcement does well, where it falls short, and what investigators can do better to help victims of trafficking. They also examine where the system fails survivors and what real accountability should look like. This episode challenges listeners to rethink what they believe and what responsibility we all share moving forward.

Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) Website:

https://www.wearepact.org/

PACT Survivor’s Council:

https://www.wearepact.org/about-us/#survivors-council

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

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In this February 2026 Squad Meeting, we answer listener questions from our recent episodes, including some great follow-ups that dive deeper into investigations and the reality of the criminal justice system.

We also break down our latest Cross Examined episode with Lead Detective Emma, an elected Superior Court Clerk. The conversation pulled back the curtain on something we don’t often talk about, the real relationship between detectives and the court system. We discuss how cases move behind the scenes, how court staff and law enforcement interact, and what people often misunderstand about the judicial process.

Also, we give you an update on an important battle between Dave and Steve… shirt sales. Is Team Dave still holding the line, or is Team Steve making a comeback?

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Police pursuits are often portrayed like action movies, but the reality is far more complicated and far more dangerous. In this episode, Dave and Steve break down what police pursuits actually involve, why policies have tightened over the years, and why officers are forced to make split-second decisions with no perfect outcomes. From school zones and rush-hour traffic to weather, speed, and suspect behavior, pursuits are a constant evaluation of risk versus responsibility.

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Why do violent and other serious offenders sometimes end up with fan clubs? In this episode, Dave and Steve examine why certain suspects and convicted individuals attract romantic or sexual attention across genders. They explore what that fascination reveals about psychology, media culture, and modern true crime consumption. From infamous killers to viral mugshots and online fandoms, they explore how trials become content, offenders turn into characters, and victims risk becoming background noise.

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In this episode, Dave and Steve break down the crime of scams. What legally separates scams, fraud, theft, and bad business deals, and why many situations that feel criminal end up being civil matters. They explain why these distinctions matter, why victims often feel dismissed, and why some of the most damaging scams never result in criminal charges.

They also walk through why scams are so difficult to investigate, including international suspects, spoofed numbers, money mules, disappearing digital evidence, and highly organized operations designed to move faster than law enforcement. The episode covers common scams being seen today, why smart people fall for them, and practical steps to reduce your risk and respond quickly if it happens to you.

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Resources:

Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams

https://www.usa.gov/where-report-scams

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central

https://www.idtheftcenter.org

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In this episode, Dave and Steve break down the realities of the job the public rarely sees and applicants aren’t always told about. They discuss the pressures, delays, and limitations that shape police work every day, along with how those realities impact investigations, officers, and the people they serve.

They discuss the mental and emotional toll of the work, internal stressors within departments, public perception, and why demonizing the profession has real consequences. This isn’t about negativity, it’s about realism, accountability, and having honest conversations about an incredibly difficult job that’s expected to be done perfectly.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

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“No body” cases are some of the hardest homicide investigations to build and prosecute. In this episode, Dave and Steve explain what makes these cases different, why investigators assume death early, and how circumstantial evidence becomes decisive when there’s no body.

Using real-world examples, including references to the Brian Walshe case, they break down the must-dos: proving the victim is dead, building a clean timeline, establishing motive, leveraging forensic and digital evidence, and reading post-crime behavior. They also cover common mistakes that sink no-body cases and why prosecutors are often reluctant to take them to trial.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

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Sources:

https://www.wafb.com/2025/12/18/brian-walshe-sentenced-life-prison-murdering-his-wife-nearly-3-years-ago/

https://people.com/brian-walshe-learns-fate-for-murdering-wife-11872065

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/metro/brian-walshe/

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/brian-walshe-verdict-murder-trial-ana/

https://abcnews.go.com/US/brian-walshe-set-sentenced-murdering-dismembering-wife/story?id=128457191

https://apnews.com/article/brian-walshe-wife-murder-trial-sentencing-b0918da02db8a1da147dd215dbf68260

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