Florida Cases | QUAD EPISODE | The FBI Files

The FBI Files・2 minutes read

Businessman Frank Black disappears in Florida, leading to suspicions of Lisa Costello and her boyfriend Alan Macerly. Despite struggles to gather evidence, Bill Anderson helps crack the case, leading to Macerly's arrest for kidnapping and murder, while Costello pleads guilty to lesser charges.

Insights

  • A businessman, Frank Black, goes missing after a promising deal in Florida, leading to suspicions of foul play involving a fictitious woman, Lisa Costello.
  • Bill Anderson, a potential witness, discloses crucial information about Frank Black's murder, implicating Costello and her boyfriend, Alan Macerly.
  • Alan Macarly's arrest for kidnapping and murder is facilitated by Bill Anderson's cooperation, despite the lack of physical evidence, through a wiretap confession.
  • Investigations into drug-related crimes in Florida unveil a web of corruption involving crooked cops, leading to arrests and confessions through undercover operations and informant assistance.

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Recent questions

  • Who was involved in Frank Black's disappearance?

    Investigators suspected Lisa Costello and Alan Macerly.

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Summary

00:00

Businessman vanishes after lucrative deal in Florida.

  • A businessman is lured across state lines with a lucrative deal promise but disappears, prompting FBI involvement.
  • Suspicions point to a business rival, leading investigators to use advanced technology to uncover the truth.
  • The businessman, Frank Black, goes to Florida for a final deal before retirement but never returns.
  • Black's family and co-workers worry when he misses meetings and stops communicating.
  • A woman named Mia Giordano from Valdez exporting is supposed to pick up Black at the airport.
  • Black's credit cards are used after his disappearance, leading to investigations in Florida.
  • Mia Giordano is revealed to be a fictitious figure, actually Lisa Costello, a suspect in Black's disappearance.
  • Costello's involvement is further confirmed through phone records and surveillance.
  • Despite wiretaps and listening devices, investigators struggle to gather concrete evidence against Costello and her boyfriend, Alan Macerly.
  • A potential witness, Bill Anderson, emerges, a former Marine pilot and close friend of Macerly, offering hope for breaking the case open.

22:36

Friend's confession leads to murder arrest.

  • Investigators gave Bill Anderson space and time to consult with counsel, believing he held crucial information.
  • Anderson slowly gained confidence in the agents, eventually revealing details about his friend Alan mcalee.
  • Anderson disclosed that mcalee had purchased a plane and asked him to be the private pilot.
  • Mcalee confided in Anderson about murdering Frank Black and disposing of the body in the ocean.
  • Anderson, shocked by the revelation, confirmed mcalee's confession to investigators.
  • Anderson agreed to wear a wire to record mcalee's confession, fearing for his safety.
  • The plan to record mcalee's confession involved luring him to Anderson's house under FBI surveillance.
  • Mcalee was cautious during the conversation, whispering to avoid being overheard.
  • Investigators feared mcalee might eliminate Anderson, leading to a tense situation during the recording.
  • Despite lack of physical evidence, mcalee was arrested for kidnapping and murder, with incriminating statements on tape.

44:15

Murder, betrayal, and justice in Florida

  • Circumstantial evidence can prove death, such as habits, routines, and declarations of intent.
  • Frank Black's murder details were filled in by prosecutors, detailing events of February 24, 1996.
  • Lisa Costello picked up Frank Black at the airport, drugged him with rufinol, and handed him over to his rival, Alan Mcarly.
  • Mcarly took control after drugging Black, used his credit cards to create a false trail, and eventually killed him.
  • Mcarly disposed of Black's body by wrapping it in plastic and dumping it offshore.
  • Mcarly was found guilty of kidnapping and murder, while Lisa Costello pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
  • Despite the lack of Black's body, Mcarly was sentenced to life without parole.
  • In the late 80s, Florida's cocaine trade was rampant, leading to violence and law enforcement involvement.
  • Jeff Saganic, a drug dealer, was suspected of a murder but had a strong alibi initially.
  • Stephen Franken, a low-level dealer, cooperated with authorities to implicate Jeff Matthews, leading to Matthews' arrest for drug trafficking.

01:08:40

Drug kingpin evades capture through violence

  • Stephen Franken, a 22-year-old, was set to testify against drug kingpin Jeff Matthews at a grand jury hearing in two days.
  • Matthews was aware that without Franken's testimony, there wouldn't be enough evidence for an indictment against him for suspected killings.
  • DEA Special Agent Dennis Boland believed the timing of Franken's murder was linked to the grand jury hearing.
  • Detectives found a roadblock near where Franken's car crashed, with 22 caliber shell casings and tire impressions nearby.
  • The shooter fired at the driver's side of Franken's car, likely from a constructed roadblock to slow the car down.
  • A hitman in prison revealed Matthews ordered surveillance on Franken to silence him before testifying.
  • The hitman also disclosed Matthews testing a silencer by killing a contractor at a pizza parlor.
  • Authorities struggled to find witnesses willing to cooperate due to fear of Matthews' violent capabilities.
  • Matthews evaded capture, prompting authorities to indict him and his associates for a continuing criminal enterprise.
  • Matthews was linked to a bombing at a DEA office, suspected to divert attention from another bombing at a fire inspector's house.

01:30:12

"DEA and FBI team tracks bomber"

  • DEA agents joined the FBI team, expanding it from four to over 50 members.
  • Investigators tracked down where bomb materials were purchased by canvassing hardware stores and gas stations.
  • The unique threading on the bomb's pipe led agents to the store clerk who sold it to Matthews.
  • Gas station employees recalled Matthews purchasing gas in two five-gallon tanks recently.
  • Matthews' friends and associates were interviewed to determine his whereabouts.
  • A trap and trace method was used to locate Matthews through his cell phone.
  • Matthews was found in Florida through aerial surveillance and phone tracking.
  • Matthews was apprehended at a storage facility in Fort Myers after a tip from the manager.
  • Matthews was sentenced to 100 years in prison for multiple crimes, including murder and bombing.
  • Matthews led investigators to explosives and a body, pleading guilty to his crimes.

01:54:44

Miami FBI Agents Stop Violent Crime Spree

  • FBI agents in Miami were tracking two mass gunmen robbing armored cars and banks, killing a guard.
  • Special Agent Morales and partner visited Aureliano Brielle's home, suspecting involvement due to a stolen car.
  • Brielle's son, Emilio, had gone missing three months ago with the family car for target shooting.
  • FBI concluded the Brielle family was not involved in the robberies; they were victims.
  • Jose Collazo was shot multiple times by two men who stole his car, providing a crucial lead.
  • Collazo's description led to composite sketches of the assailants, aiding the investigation.
  • Agents discovered a pattern of robberies on Fridays between 9-12 in a specific area.
  • FBI agents conducted surveillance in the area, leading to a confrontation with the suspects.
  • A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in a shootout where agents were injured.
  • Despite injuries, agents managed to take down the suspects, ending the violent crime spree.

02:18:51

Miami Drug Wars: FBI Shootout and Investigation

  • During a violent shootout, FBI agents were attacked by two suspects, leading to casualties and injuries.
  • Agent Dove was shot in the groin, leading to his death, while Agent Hanlon was severely wounded.
  • Agent Morales, despite being wounded, managed to stop the suspects from fleeing.
  • The suspects, identified as Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Maddox, engaged in a violent confrontation with the agents.
  • The FBI investigation revealed the suspects' military backgrounds and their commando tactics during the shootout.
  • The suspects, Platt and Maddox, were involved in a landscaping business but led a double life involving criminal activities.
  • Evidence uncovered a murder pact between the suspects, potentially involving previous wives.
  • The FBI's forensic analysis linked the suspects to earlier crimes, leading to their identification.
  • The shootout resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents and the suspects, with significant changes in law enforcement tactics following the incident.
  • The Miami drug wars of the 1980s saw a surge in violent criminal activities, particularly related to drug trafficking from Colombia.

02:40:38

Marina raid reveals crooked cops' corruption.

  • Eight men in police uniforms raided a marina, targeting a specific boat.
  • The security guard at the marina did not find the raid unusual.
  • Investigators searched the boat but found no clues, leading them to search for the three survivors.
  • The survivors were suspected to attend a wake for one of the deceased victims.
  • The survivors were identified at the funeral home by detectives.
  • The survivors claimed the raid was by individuals dressed as cops but denied drug involvement.
  • The survivors mentioned being assaulted and thrown into the water by the raiders.
  • The investigation turned into a triple homicide with no significant leads.
  • The FBI offered assistance in the case, revealing information about crooked cops.
  • A police informant named Armando provided crucial details about corrupt cops involved in drug dealings.

03:02:02

Miami Cops Caught in Drug Scandal

  • Raiders disposed of the crew, who swam safely to shore, with 200 kilos of cocaine valued at over $10 million taken by the cops.
  • Armando un confirmed the officers' names, but his credibility was doubted by investigators.
  • Investigators needed a confession on tape from the cops, leading to the bar owner wearing a wire to meet Officer Marco Ribera.
  • Ribera was recorded confessing his involvement in the drug operation, unaware he was being monitored.
  • Centak 26 detectives managed to tape incriminating conversations with corrupt police officers, including Ribera.
  • Financial records and taped conversations led to arrest warrants for six Miami cops, including Ribera.
  • A mistrial occurred due to a deadlocked jury, but further evidence was gathered against the corrupt cops.
  • Hitman Killer Joe Martinez's confession and Emilio Ray's testimony led to more charges and confessions, breaking the case open.
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