Hillbilly Crime Investigates

Elizabeth Jones

Hillbilly Crime is an independent Appalachian investigative podcast hosted by Elizabeth Jones. From the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, we dive deep into crime, corruption, power, and the real stories affecting rural communities that rarely make national headlines. As a single mom in recovery building an investigative media network from my living room, this podcast follows the truth wherever it leads — from courtroom documents and public records to the lived experiences of people in Appalachia. If you believe small towns deserve real journalism, you’re in the right place.

  1. 23h ago ·  Bonus

    Mickey Stines Aunt Sherry Testifies at Hearing

    Testimony and bond request at the status hearing for Mickey Stines. What does all of this mean? Mental health reasons mean the shooting was for nothing then? Simply wrong place at the wrong time? #hillbillycrime #hillbillyhouse #MickeyStines

    7 min

  2. 1d ago

    ARC's Tim Robinson Gets Indicted

    This episode of Hillbilly Crime dives deep into the federal indictment of Tim Robinson, the founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), on wire fraud and money laundering charges. While these charges focus on employee retention tax credits, the show questions why they appear so narrow given the years of Medicaid fraud allegations, FBI investigations, and reports from former employees. Key discussion points include: Defining Organized Crime: A breakdown of how the term applies not just to traditional mafia structures, but to potential systemic corruption involving court orders, rehab referrals, and Medicaid billing (13:50). The Pipeline: An investigation into the “court-to-rehab” system in Eastern Kentucky, examining how arrests, jail, and rehab facility placement can become an exploited machine (33:08). Systemic Issues: A critical look at the roles of various officials and entities, including the influence of SOAR, the recusal of Attorney General Russell Coleman (30:01), and the involvement of individuals like Michael Clark, Ben Fields, and others in the regional power structure. Methods of Investigation: The hosts outline a roadmap for a competent investigation, emphasizing the need to follow the money, audit court records, and treat vulnerable victims with protection rather than suspicion (54:41). Systemic Corruption: A broader conversation on how local power dynamics in Letcher and Perry Counties have historically handled—or ignored—allegations of misconduct, ranging from sexual exploitation to financial fraud (40:44).

    1h 11m

  3. 1d ago

    Buried Receipts

    In this episode of Hillbilly Crime Investigates, the host, Elizabeth, conducts an in-depth review of the case file regarding the fatal officer-involved shooting of Doug Harless in Laurel County, Kentucky. The episode focuses on discrepancies within the official record and the host's attempt to reconstruct events based on primary documents (4:51 - 6:02). Key Receipts and Findings: The Radiator Cap (17:56 - 19:18): The host points out that the search warrant for Harless's home listed "vehicle parts and accessories," which appears to be linked to a separate, unrelated theft report involving a $10 radiator cap. She questions how this disparate information was used to justify the scope of the warrant. Constable Robert Smith's Interview (23:00 - 28:50, 1:17:44 - 1:23:53): A significant focus is placed on a recorded interview with Constable Robert Smith, the first officer on the scene after the shooting. The host notes that the summary of this interview was buried at the end of a different officer's transcript. In this interview, Smith recounts that Officer Wes Wolf told him Harless was "coming through the house" and trying to "chamber a round" when they entered, which the host argues contradicts the narrative that Harless was "refusing to open the door" or preparing an ambush. The "511" Call (33:39 - 34:30, 54:51 - 58:37): The host presents a call between Detective Royal and KSP dispatch where they discuss the address 511 Vanzant Road and run license plate tags that come back to Doug Harless. The host raises serious questions about when law enforcement confirmed they were at the correct (or incorrect) address and whether they knew who they were dealing with before entering the home. Key Takeaways: The host emphasizes that this case is about how the "story was shaped" by authorities (17:11) and whether the grand jury received a full and accurate picture before returning a "no bill" (6:09, 1:06:06). She concludes that the investigation by the Kentucky State Police and the London Police Department contained significant lapses, including failing to separate officers at the scene and failing to reconcile conflicting accounts with video evidence (53:23 - 54:48).

    1h 32m

  4. 1d ago

    Separate or Connected? Stines Cases

    This video from Hillbilly Crime explores the legal and social aftermath of the shooting of Judge Kevin Mullins in his Letcher County chambers by Mickey Stines. The host examines why the civil case related to the courthouse scandal—which has now settled—is being treated so differently by opposing legal teams (4:18-7:04). Key Themes & Legal Perspectives: Civil Defense Theory: The civil defense aims to treat elements like Ben Fields, EKCS (home monitoring), the sheriff’s office, and the judge’s chambers as separate, unrelated entities (6:42-6:56, 34:41-35:46). Criminal Defense Theory: In contrast, the criminal defense for Mickey Stines argues that these elements are deeply connected, pointing to intense pressure, alleged courthouse secrets, and the Ben Fields civil deposition as factors influencing the defendant’s state of mind (7:04-8:19, 18:16-18:50). The Loss of a Trial: The host expresses frustration that the settlement of the civil case means the public will not see a trial, which would have forced these witnesses to provide testimony under oath, potentially clarifying the connections between these events (5:30-6:33, 36:36-37:00). Timeline of Events Leading to the Tragedy: April 9, 2024: Sabrina Atkins gives her deposition (20:56). September 11, 2024: Ben Fields gives his deposition (21:16-21:32). September 16, 2024: Mickey Stines gives his deposition (21:35-21:44). September 19, 2024: Judge Kevin Mullins is shot and killed in his chambers (21:47-21:55). Reflections on Local Culture: The host discusses how these events are perceived within the local community, noting that patterns of behavior and abuse are often described as part of a problematic local culture. The video also touches on unrelated instances of systemic failure in the region to emphasize the host's concerns about accountability and transparency (23:38-33:01). Ultimately, the host emphasizes the importance of preserving the public record through the available depositions and filings, as they serve as the primary source of information now that the civil trial is off the table (37:52-39:53).

    45 min

  5. 3d ago

    Live Power and Lineman's Lives

    This video, from the Hillbilly Crime series, explores the tragic death of a lineman and the broader, often dangerous, realities of the utility industry in Kentucky and across the United States. Key themes include: Workplace Safety & Accountability: The host questions the lack of transparency surrounding the death of Jonathan Brown, a West Liberty man killed by contact with live power lines. The central query throughout the video is: "Who decides when power stays live?" (11:41, 22:40, 24:42).The Power Grid & Big Tech: The video discusses how the growth of data centers in Kentucky puts strain on the electrical grid and raises concerns about whether everyday ratepayers are subsidizing infrastructure upgrades for big tech companies, particularly following the failed passage of House Bill 593 (4:20-11:00).The Reality of Storm Chasing: The host reads and reflects on an Esquire article titled "The Outlaws Who Keep the Power Grid Running." It details the high-risk, high-reward life of storm-chasing linemen who mobilize after disasters. It highlights how the industry is shifting toward a model dominated by private equity, middlemen, and a pressure to perform that can compromise safety (39:48-1:29:00).Independent Investigation: The host advocates for pro-worker, pro-family transparency, emphasizing that when a worker dies, it should not simply be treated as a "cost of doing business" (17:44-18:26, 28:50).The video serves as a call for viewers to demand better accountability, clearer safety processes, and a deeper look into who actually controls the decisions that put utility workers in harm's way.

    1h 37m

  6. 3d ago

    15 Houses and 22 Cancer Deaths; Eolia Kentucky 2001

    This video from Hillbilly Crime examines a 2001 Appalachian Media Institute documentary titled Without a Cause: Sickness in the Community of Eolia, Kentucky. The episode centers on the residents of Eolia who have long believed that environmental issues—linked to abandoned coal mines, slate dumps, and water quality—are responsible for high rates of cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and other immune disorders within their community. Key themes and takeaways: The Human Cost: The documentary features powerful, firsthand accounts from residents, including a man who walks his community documenting how 22 people died of cancer across just 15 houses (9:39-11:48).The Search for Answers: Residents and medical professionals discuss the immense difficulty of obtaining a public health investigation. They highlight the lack of local medical resources, forcing families to travel long distances to cities like Lexington, Louisville, Nashville, or Roanoke for specialized care (14:18-14:21, 18:55-19:20).The Challenge of “Proof”: The documentary and the commentary emphasize that it is difficult for health departments to investigate without knowing specific toxins to test for, yet the community lacks the resources to perform complex environmental sampling themselves (28:44-29:10, 33:58-34:20).Connecting to Modern Issues: The host draws parallels between the historical concerns in Eolia and current health crises in southeastern Kentucky, noting the state's ongoing investigation into rare pediatric DIPG brain cancer cases in the Corbin area (20:15-21:50).Conclusion:The host argues that the "we don't know" answer provided to these families decades ago is no longer acceptable. The episode serves as a call to action, urging viewers to provide any information regarding historical studies, water testing, or official reports related to the Eolia and Bowman Creek areas, with the goal of finally getting these families the answers they deserve.

    46 min

  7. May 31 ·  Bonus

    Ken Shapiro: “Please Stand Up for the Ratepayers”

    At Kentucky’s nuclear public comment meeting, Ken Shapiro spoke as a retired Kentuckian living on a fixed income. His warning was not just about nuclear technology. It was about who carries the financial risk. He told the Public Service Commission that ratepayers are facing rising costs, corporate utility power, and political pressure that can tilt the scales against ordinary people. He pointed to Georgia’s Plant Vogtle as a warning about nuclear cost overruns and higher electric bills. This Hillbilly Power segment asks the question at the center of Kentucky’s energy future: if utilities build bigger and more expensive power projects, who protects the people who have no choice but to pay the bill? #HillbillyPower #PublicPower #KentuckyPSC #NuclearEnergy #Ratepayers #PowerBills #KentuckyPolitics #BigEnergy

    6 min

  8. May 31 ·  Bonus

    Dr. Mog’s Warning: Nuclear Isn’t the Only Future

    At Kentucky’s nuclear public comment meeting, Dr. Justin Mog from the University of Louisville challenged the idea that nuclear power is the obvious path forward. He pointed to energy efficiency, geothermal, local solar, and renewables as options Kentucky still has not fully used. He also questioned the “zero carbon” label often attached to nuclear, arguing that the full life cycle matters, from mining and fuel production to construction and waste. This Hillbilly Power segment asks the bigger question: if Kentucky is planning the future grid, why are cheaper, safer, local options being pushed behind expensive big-energy projects? Hashtags:#HillbillyPower #PublicPower #KentuckyPSC #NuclearEnergy #RenewableEnergy #PowerBills #KentuckyPolitics

    3 min
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About

Hillbilly Crime is an independent Appalachian investigative podcast hosted by Elizabeth Jones. From the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, we dive deep into crime, corruption, power, and the real stories affecting rural communities that rarely make national headlines. As a single mom in recovery building an investigative media network from my living room, this podcast follows the truth wherever it leads — from courtroom documents and public records to the lived experiences of people in Appalachia. If you believe small towns deserve real journalism, you’re in the right place.

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