Hookergate: Criminals and Libertines in the South

Hookergate: Criminals and Libertines in the South

Ad-free, exclusive bonus + early access to new eps

₪13.90/mo or ₪131.90/yr after trial

Truck-stop brothels run by a web of ex-cons… a commonwealth attorney wasted on whiskey and power… protection exchanged for cash and flesh… a brash local reporter exposing it all… This is HOOKERGATE: Criminals and Libertines in the South. I am your host, Dr. Lindsay Byron, author, historian, and lifelong wayward woman—and this forgotten scandal happened in my hometown. Join me as I use crumbling news clippings, interviews, and dramatic re-enactments to bring to life for the first time in nearly 50 years this wild ride of hedonistic corruption. 

  1. EPISODE 1

    Dangerous to Himself

    A chance encounter leads to the discovery of a salacious scandal that’s been lost to history for 50 years. Host Lindsay Byron sifts through crumbling news clippings to unpack a story of illicit sex and corruption involving elite powerbrokers alongside the forgotten castoffs of rural Virginia.    Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron AKA Lux ATL - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum Judge - Max Williams Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Janet Barker - Anney Reese Buckeye - Tari Defense Attorney Johnson - Noel Brown Dr. Shield - Sean Rhodes   SOURCES: All courtroom scenes are pulled from the transcripts of The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. Opening newscast describing the Hookergate crime ring comes from an August 26, 1977 Danville Register and Bee article by Nelson Benyunes.   The courtroom exchange preceding the Edgewood diner scene comes from US Prosecuting Attorney Stubbs’ direct examination of Janet Barker on December 9th, 1977.  The courtroom exchange in which Buckeye describes how she made a booking comes from Prosecuting Attorney Robert Stubbs’ direct examination of Buckeye (not her real name) on December 7th, 1977. The newscast describing Whitehead’s role in the “anatomy of power” comes from an August 1977 Washington Star article. The courtroom exchange describing Joe Whitehead’s drinking problem comes from a psychiatric evaluation conducted by Dr. James Shield on January 4 1978, and presented as evidence by Whitehead’s defense team before sentencing. The above court transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia.  The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  2. EPISODE 2

    This Woman Was Different

    As the sex and money starts to flow at the truck stops, pimps and working girls unexpectedly find the type of love that can only end in heartbreak. Meanwhile, Rodney settles in to his new home and searches for a big story. Frankie Jones gives insight into the character of Danville.   Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Defense Attorney Rosenberg - Sean Rhodes Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Thomas Barker - Chandler Mays Harold Wayne Dowdy - Joe McCormick Janet Barker - Anney Reese Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum   SOURCES: All courtroom scenes come from The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. The cold open statement that it “takes two people to make a prostitute” comes from William Rosenberger’s opening statements of the 1977 Federal RICO trial of the Big Six. The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022.  The first-hand accounts from Frankie Jones come from an interview I conducted with him in June 2022. The courtroom exchange detailing the nature of Tommy and Janet’s relationship comes from the direct examination of Thomas Barker by US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Stubbs on Dec 12th, 1977. The courtroom exchange preceding the scene of Harold Wayne and Robin’s first meeting comes from the cross examination of Harold Wayne Dowdy by William Rosenberger on Dec 14th, 1977. The courtroom statement about interstate prostitution was said by US Prosecuting Atty Robert Stubbs in his opening statement of the 1977 Federal RICO trial of the Big Six. The courtroom exchange discussing whether or not Janet gave massages comes from the direct examination of  Janet Barker by US Prosecuting Attorney Stubbs on December 9th, 1977. The above court transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  3. EPISODE 3

    Cash and Flesh

    Just as the truck stops see success, a powerful force threatens the whole operation. Rodney discovers an unusual cluster of arrest records, and their mysterious dismissals. Connie instructs Buckeye in the art of seduction with a group of men from out of town.   Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum Sergeant Bradley - Dylan Fagan   SOURCES: All courtroom scenes are pulled from the transcripts of The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. The first hand accounts  from Frankie Jones come from an interview I conducted with him in Danville, Virginia, in June 2022. The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022.  The courtroom scene characterizing Wayne Holley as Hookergate’s primary liaison comes from US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Stubb’s closing arguments on Dec 20,  1977. The reportage describing Holley’s bribery of the truck stop operators is from the 1977 Grand Jury report indicting Whitehead, Holley, Henderson, Boyd, Dowdy, and Barker (“The Big Six”) on Federal RICO charges.  The courtroom description of the terms of truck stop lounge entry–”all you have to do is want to fuck”--occurred during US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Amidon’s direct examination of Sergeant Charles L. Bradley on Dec 5th, 1977. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  4. EPISODE 4

    And We’re All Out of Coffee

    Joe Whitehead becomes increasingly brazen with his exploits, and issues a menacing threat when he doesn’t get what he wants. Robin grows accustomed to a life of luxury as Harold Wayne falls deeper in love. Frankie Jones make a shocking confession      Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Officer Daniels - Noel Brown Tenita - Miranda Hawkins Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum   SOURCES: All courtroom scenes come from The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. The cold open courtroom exchange comes from US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Amidon’s direct examination of Thomas B. Daniels, Jr, an investigator with the department of the Virginia State Police, on December 6, 1977. The first-hand account from Frankie Jones comes from an interview I conducted with him in June 2022. The courtroom exchange that describes a working girl’s encounter with Whitehead and friend comes from US Prosecuting Attorney Morgan Scott’s direct examination of Tenita (not her real name) on December 9, 1977. The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022.  The newscast concerning the Carriage Hill trailer park appointment comes from the 1977 Grand Jury report indicting Whitehead, Holley, Henderson, Boyd, Dowdy, and Barker (“The Big Six”) on Federal RICO charges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min
  5. EPISODE 5

    Keeping the Peace

    Janet grows uneasy with the truck stop operations as Tommy struggles to keep the money coming in. Robin finds her way out of the back room and into the front office. Joe Whitehead spirals out of control and takes out his frustrations on Janet.    Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Defense Attorney Rosenberg - Sean Rhodes Breanna - Lauren Vogelbaum Robin Dowdy - Sam McVey  Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Janet Barker - Anney Reese   SOURCES: The first-hand accounts from Frankie Jones come from an interview I conducted with him in June 2022. The courtroom scene in which a woman recounts being forced into prostitution comes from Defense Attorney William Rosenberger’s cross examination of Breanna (not her real name) on December 7, 1977. The courtroom exchange in which Robin Dowdy says she is “much more capable” of running the truck stop comes from her cross examination by Defense Attorney Rosenberger on December 14, 1977. The newscast that describes Whitehead’s psychological state comes from a psychological evaluation on January 3 and 4, 1978, by interviewer Nancy L. Foley, stored as evidence in the National Archives in Philadelphia. The courtroom exchange in which Janet Barker describes Whitehead’s explosive behavior comes from US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Stubb’s direct examination of her on December 9, 1977. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
  6. EPISODE 6

    The Pressure Builds

    The truck stop operators feel the squeeze of Whiteheads increasing demands. Whitehead feels the pressure from a local deputy. Rodney receives backlash from unexpected sources after his initial reports are published. Tommy reveals his dark side to Janet.   Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Harold Wayne Dowdy - Joe McCormick Janet Barker - Anney Reese   SOURCES: All courtroom scenes come from The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. The newscast that describes Officer Moss’s unpleasant encounter with Whitehead comes from the 1977 Grand Jury Report indicting Whitehead, Holley, Henderson, Boyd, Dowdy, and Barker (“The Big Six”) on Federal RICO charges.  The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022. The courtroom exchange in which Harold Wayne Dowdy describes negotiations with Whitehead comes from US Prosecuting Attorney James Hastings’s direct examination of Dowdy on Dec 12, 1977. The courtroom exchange in which Janet Barker details the deterioration of her relationship with Thomas Barker comes from her cross examination by Defense Attorney David Epstein on December 9, 1977. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min

Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • It’s the dead of summer, 1989, in the heart of the Ozarks. An 18-year-old woman goes missing from Bella Vista, Arkansas. As the search moves forward, several suspects emerge. Then… a body is found not far from the Missouri border, and a homicide investigation begins. Soon, a second body is discovered nearby. What was a mystery transforms into the hunt for a possible serial killer stalking young women throughout the Ozarks. M. William Phelps digs in nearly 35 years later and begins to understand that things aren’t always what they seem.

  • The Betrayal community is growing. From the producers that brought you the critically acclaimed Betrayal limited run series, a new always on docuseries will hit the feed every week. Our lives are all built on an invisible force: trust. But sometimes, the people we trust the most can turn out to be complete strangers. Every week, Betrayal: Weekly will share first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind.  Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. Go back and listen to Betrayal Seasons 1, 2, and 3! In Season 1 we follow Jenifer Faison's journey after discovering her husband Spencer Herron's hidden life. A reality TV producer, Jen moved across the country to be with Spencer, a beloved soccer coach and award-winning teacher in Acworth, Georgia. Their seemingly idyllic seven-year marriage abruptly ended when Spencer was arrested under shocking circumstances. Jenifer's quest for closure leads her to confront the truth about her husband through candid interviews with his victims and other affected women. Through these conversations, Jen begins to heal and reclaim her life from the shadow of betrayal. And make sure to check out Betrayal: The Perfect Husband, which follows Jen's story streaming on Hulu.  In Season 2, Ashley Lytton, a suburban mom of three in Utah, faces a life-altering revelation about her husband. His shocking crime not only jeopardizes their safety but thrusts Ashley into a relentless quest for justice and protection for her daughter. Through Ashley's harrowing journey, the season exposes a pervasive issue affecting families nationwide, shedding light on a betrayal that undermines our core values and communities. And make sure to check out Betrayal: A Father's Secret, which follows Ashley's story streaming on Hulu.  In “Betrayal” Season 3, Stacey Rutherford thought she met her soulmate when she laid eyes on Dr. Justin Rutherford. They fell in love, and it was better than she ever imagined. But this family doctor, beloved father, and cherished husband had dark secrets. He had sworn to do no harm but would resort to any means necessary to save himself.

  • In Season 1, it’s 1995 and Carole Fisher is a high-flying divorcee looking for love in Las Vegas. It’s slim pickings in the medical community she works in. But then Bob comes to town. Bob Bierenbaum is a plastic surgeon who flies planes and speaks several languages. Her mom loves that he’s Jewish - but there’s something off about him. He’s perfect on paper but he’s quick to anger and he never talks about his ex-wife. Who, it turns out, is missing and presumed dead. After Carole and Bob break up she tells her friend Mindy all about Bob’s wife and his bizarre behavior. You see, Mindy dated Bob too, in fact a lot of women in Vegas dated Bob and they all have their own strange stories to tell. Before too long they form a club dedicated to bitching about Bob, eating noodles and figuring out what happened to his wife, Gail. In this riveting nine part series, Carole Fisher uncovers the truth of Gail Katz’s death, the systems that failed her and all the girlfriends that brought her justice.   In Season 2, The Girlfriends are back to investigate one part of the story that’s still a mystery. During the investigation into Gail’s case, a torso washed up on Staten Island and was misidentified as Gail. Nobody knows her name or what happened to her after she was ruled out from the case. The amateur ladies detective club have a new mission: to uncover the identity of this woman and finally find Our Lost Sister. The Girlfriends is produced by Novel for iHeartPodcasts. For more from Novel visit Novel.Audio

  • The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told is an anthology podcast series of the most layered and engrossing true crime stories about female killers, cops, scientists, lawyers, scammers, activists, and more. Hosted by true crime writer, Mary Kay McBrayer, this podcast tells the stories in which women aren’t narrowly defined as victims, but instead are the protagonists.

  • American Homicide explores mysterious and iconic murder cases from all across America. Whether it’s the spacious skies and vast deserts of New Mexico or the backwaters of the Louisiana bayou, these murders are connected to their settings. Journalist Sloane Glass leads you through each crime with interviews from the victim's family and investigators.

  • Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its first 11-episode season, the series tackles the most influential crime organization in American history, the New York Mafia. Discover how the seemingly random murder of an influential mafioso sparked a chain of events that led to the downfall of the city's five major crime families at the height of their power.

Ad-free, exclusive bonus + early access to new eps

₪13.90/mo or ₪131.90/yr after trial

About

Truck-stop brothels run by a web of ex-cons… a commonwealth attorney wasted on whiskey and power… protection exchanged for cash and flesh… a brash local reporter exposing it all… This is HOOKERGATE: Criminals and Libertines in the South. I am your host, Dr. Lindsay Byron, author, historian, and lifelong wayward woman—and this forgotten scandal happened in my hometown. Join me as I use crumbling news clippings, interviews, and dramatic re-enactments to bring to life for the first time in nearly 50 years this wild ride of hedonistic corruption. 

More From iHeart True Crime

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada