In this episode, retired Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agent Jay Dobyns sits down with Giovanni and Dutch to share how he went from getting shot on his fourth day on the job to successfully infiltrating the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club under the alias Jaybird Davis, the gunrunner. Having previously worked on outlaw motorcycle club cases themselves, Giovanni and Dutch share their own insights into just how violent and dangerous these organizations can be. Dobyns also talks about his other cases, including a Las Vegas bombing that was stopped by law enforcement before it could unfold, exemplifying the importance of undercover work in keeping the public safe.

About Jay Dobyns:

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Jay Dobyns was a standout PAC 10, D-1 wide receiver turned Special Agent for the ATF in 1987 at 26 years old. He is best known for successfully infiltrating the Hells Angels. The investigation, known as Operation Black Biscuit, resulted in 52 defendants being arrested, 16 of whom were indicted on racketeering and murder charges. However, most of the serious violations were eventually dismissed and Dobyns’ personal information became public, exposing him and his family to intimidation, threats and bounties on his life. 

Produced by The Mob Museum.

Season One of Inside the Life is presented by Levy Online and Levy Production Group.

To watch episodes of this podcast, visit YouTube

For behind-the-scenes photos, merchandise and exclusive content, visit insidethelife.org

For more on the Museum visit themobmuseum.org

Long inspired by his father, a Harlem NYPD detective, and confronted by the 1970s heroin epidemic in New York City which affected many of his young-adult peers returning from the Vietnam War, Lew Rice found his calling with the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1974. In this episode, Rice describes his journey with the DEA, highlighting his undercover experiences and how he worked his way through the ranks to supervisory roles, all while sharing the best advice he received along the way. He also explains to Dutch and Giovanni how he came to sit down with “American Gangster” drug kingpin Frank Lucas and what he learned during that pivotal time.

About Lew Rice:

A native of New York City, Lew Rice earned his bachelor's in criminal justice from St. John’s University, Queens, New York. Shortly after graduation, he began his 26-year career with the DEA in 1974 and served in a variety of investigative assignments in the state of New York and in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1984, he was promoted to the position of Supervisory Special Agent in Miami, Florida, where he coordinated numerous international drug investigations against violent drug cartels resulting in the seizure of millions in cash, thousands of kilograms of cocaine and heroin and the arrests and convictions of major drug traffickers. During his career with the DEA, he held additional supervisory assignments in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Detroit and New York. In 1996, he was promoted to Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC), Detroit Division covering the states of Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky and in 1997, he was again promoted to the position of SAC of the DEA office in New York, the flagship office of the DEA. In 1998, Rice was selected by President Bill Clinton to be awarded the rank of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service of the DEA. At the time of this appointment, he was the youngest SAC in the DEA.

Produced by The Mob Museum.

Season One of Inside the Life is presented by Levy Online and Levy Production Group.

To watch episodes of this podcast, visit YouTube

For behind-the-scenes photos, merchandise and exclusive content, visit insidethelife.org

For more on the Museum visit themobmuseum.org

Best known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s hit series “The Sopranos,” Giovanni and Dutch welcome actor Vincent Pastore to Inside the Life. In this episode, Vincent, Giovanni and Dutch chop it up, discussing everything from Pastore’s career in the music and nightlife industry, his experience living and working around New York Mob-types, how he landed his role on “The Sopranos” to Giovanni’s infiltration of the “real Sopranos,” New Jersey’s DeCavalcante crime family. After discussing how being an informant on the series affected him, Pastore shares the bittersweet behind-the-scenes story of the season two finale “Funhouse.”

About Vincent Pastore:

Born in the Bronx and raised in New Rochelle, NY, Pastore didn’t get involved with acting until his 40s, aside from a small part in a 1968 soap opera. After meeting actors and brothers Kevin and Matt Dillon while running a nightclub in New York, they encouraged him to pursue acting. He is most famous for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in the first two seasons of “The Sopranos.” When his character faces 30 years in prison for heroin trafficking, he becomes an FBI informant, forcing his character to “exit” the show. Since “The Sopranos,” Pastore has played a wide variety of roles, including an appearance on “The Celebrity Apprentice” and a voice in the movie “Shark Tale.” Pastore currently enjoys teaching acting workshops in New York City and regularly appears alongside his friends and fellow Sopranos stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa in the “In Conversations with The Sopranos” live shows.

Produced by The Mob Museum.

Season One of Inside the Life is presented by Levy Online and Levy Production Group.

To watch episodes of this podcast, visit YouTube

For behind-the-scenes photos, merchandise and exclusive content, visit insidethelife.org

For more on the Museum visit themobmuseum.org