Locked In with Ian Bick

Aaron Peila joins Locked In with Ian Bick to share how his upbringing led him into the streets, where he began hustling, moving serious weight, and getting involved in the music business. His lifestyle eventually caught up with him when a gun charge landed him in Nevada state prison, followed by a $3.8 million federal RICO and money laundering case that resulted in a 16-year sentence. Aaron opens up about his criminal past and the reality of spending over 15 years behind bars in state and federal prison.
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Connect with Aaron Peila:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peilaroni is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronPeila
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronpeila?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&vrfl=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.peila.2025
Website: Www.cceapparel.com
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Aaron Pila
00:47 Early Life and Moving Around
02:32 Introduction to Drugs and Selling
06:32 Juvenile Trouble and Leaving Home
11:04 Moving to Utah and Drug Dealing
13:36 First Felonies and Probation
17:30 Prison Time and Work Release
19:40 Transition to Music Business
21:00 Rehab in Mexico
25:00 Music Career and Partnership
28:00 Gun Case and Legal Troubles
39:30 State and Federal Sentences
44:00 RICO Indictment and Cooperation
51:00 Life in Federal Prison
01:00:00 Prison Politics and Violence
01:14:00 Putting in Work and Consequences
01:30:00 Daily Life and Prison Dynamics
01:40:00 Release and Reentry Challenges
01:47:00 Reflections and Future Plans
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Wayne Smith Jr. grew up in Philadelphia after losing his father at a young age, eventually finding himself caught up in the streets. At just 20 years old, a shooting changed his life forever and landed him a 25-to-50-year prison sentence. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Wayne opens up about his childhood, the decisions that led him to prison, and what it was like facing decades behind bars. He also shares the incredible story of how his brother made it to the NFL and helped fight for his freedom, giving Wayne a second chance at life.
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Connect with Wayne Smith Jr:
Hard Copy of book: https://cavzvv-qb.myshopify.com/
E Book: https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0HJ1HH9LT?lv=shuf&channelId=500
Website: https://awaythatseemsright.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waynet_jr/
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Wayne's Crime and Brother's NFL Success
00:32 Childhood in Philadelphia
01:51 Father's Tragic Death
05:53 Impact on Teenage Years
07:51 Toxic Masculinity and Peer Pressure
11:01 First Arrest and Probation
15:52 Struggles with Drugs and Education
20:38 Finishing High School and College Attempts
25:49 Full-Time Street Life
31:18 The Night of the Shooting
35:49 Understanding the Value of Life
39:20 Aftermath and Surrender to God
47:52 Arrest and Surrender
52:49 Months of Freedom and Faith
56:05 Turning Himself In
01:00:00 Prison Experience and Faith
01:06:55 New Evidence and New Trial
01:10:58 Brother's NFL Career and Support
01:14:30 Life in Maximum Security Prison
01:19:48 Release and Adjusting to Freedom
01:24:00 New Evidence Leads to Release
01:32:00 Reflections and Redemption
01:36:44 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Pete Thron was a New York City Housing Authority police officer during the height of the crack epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s, patrolling the dangerous streets of Harlem and Upper Manhattan. From making over 700 arrests to working alongside federal agents on major narcotics investigations, Pete helped take down powerful drug organizations, including one case that resulted in 30 members of a major crack cocaine operation being federally convicted. But after years of putting criminals behind bars, Pete found himself on the other side of the justice system. He reveals how alleged police corruption led to a robbery conviction he maintains was unjust, a two-to-four-year New York State prison sentence, and the shocking reality of going from police officer to inmate. Pete shares untold stories from the streets of New York City, dangerous drug investigations, federal task forces, corruption, and what really happens when the system you once served turns against you.
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Thank you to STIO for sponsoring this episode:
Ski season's almost here. Gear up now, the way the locals do. Go to http://stio.com/ianbick for 20% off your order.
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Connect with Pete Thron:
Buy his books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07ZVVX3XS?ccs_id=8556d38c-a5a5-4596-b723-dd60b45c51ae Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteThron
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Early Life and Baseball Dreams
04:10 Becoming a Housing Cop
06:00 Field Training and First Lessons
09:55 First Building Check and a Close Call
15:18 Moving to Pressure Point
18:00 EDP Call and Mace Incident
21:00 Witnessing Jumpers
22:17 Transfer to Harlem
23:48 Sponsor Message
25:35 Narcotics Work and Making Collars
27:00 Targeting East Side Drug Operations
29:00 First Shooting
35:20 Department Politics and Denied Promotion
37:30 Flipping Informants
42:00 Warrants and the Little House on the Prairie
45:50 TT and the Drug Ledger
50:00 The Case Builds
53:00 Nose Ripped Off
01:00:00 Recovery and Getting Cleared
01:01:30 The Purple Gang
01:03:40 Apartment Break-In
01:07:50 Gun Missing and Back on Patrol
01:14:00 Undercover Work and Buying Guns
01:17:00 Arresting Charmaine
01:20:50 Federal Deputization and Arrests
01:24:00 Greek Mob Investigation
01:27:50 Meeting Bazo
01:33:00 Declining Going Undercover
01:35:00 Going to Anti-Crime
01:39:30 First Anti-Crime Case
01:46:00 Pitbull Shooting
01:49:00 Tackling a Suspect
01:59:00 Last Night in Anti-Crime
02:12:45 Undercover Buy Goes Wrong
02:18:00 Repercussions and Robbery Accusation
02:26:00 Foreboding Meeting with ADA
02:30:00 Arraignment and Bail
02:34:00 Trial and Testimony
02:49:00 Taking the Stand
02:55:00 Jury Charges and Verdict
03:01:00 Sentencing
03:09:00 Appeal and Disappointment
03:11:30 Entering Prison
03:15:40 Life in Prison
03:21:00 Parole Hearing
03:39:00 Stabbed in Prison
03:44:00 Cauterizing the Wound
03:47:00 Broken Toe
03:49:00 Witnessing CO Brutality
03:56:00 Post-Prison Struggles
04:04:00 Reflections and Closing
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Michael Lau spent 24 years with the NYPD, rising from rookie cop to Deputy Inspector. An immigrant from Hong Kong who grew up surrounded by gang violence in Chinatown, he went on to patrol some of NYC's toughest neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Harlem. Michael shares wild stories of taking down dangerous gang members, making arrests, confronting organized crime, and climbing the ranks to become an NYPD commander. 
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Thank you to STIO for sponsoring this episode: Ski season's almost here. Gear up now, the way the locals do. Go to http://stio.com/ianbick for 20% off your order.
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Cop vs. Flying Dragons
00:33 Early Life and Immigration
01:28 Childhood in Alphabet City
02:21 Move to Rucker Housing
02:53 Mother Robbed at Knife Point
06:28 Decision to Become a Cop
07:12 Joining the NYPD
08:30 Chinatown Gangs and First Jobs
11:04 Police Academy and Harlem
12:03 Return to Chinatown
13:15 Combating Gang Extortion
15:03 Plainclothes and Undercover Work
16:54 First Arrest and Helping Others
18:23 Tragic Story of a Gang Member
25:39 Structure of Chinatown Gangs
28:05 Working with Informants
30:00 Promotions and Politics in NYPD
32:41 Plainclothes Stories and JFK Jr.
36:32 Threats and Shootout with Flying Dragons
45:03 RICO Cases and Dismantling Gangs
48:03 Extortion and Community Impact
50:35 Heartbreaking Notification
55:45 Becoming Sergeant
57:38 Quotas and Leadership
01:01:55 Chinatown Rapist Task Force
01:02:58 Cultural Crimes and Scams
01:04:52 Gambling, Prostitution, and Modern Crime
01:07:25 Gambling Raids and Undercover Ops
01:08:27 Lieutenant: Queens Gang Squad
01:12:07 Gang Cases and RICO Investigations
01:15:11 Encounters with Former Criminals
01:18:03 Retirement and Vice Enforcement
01:20:52 Captain: Community Affairs
01:27:52 Deputy Inspector: Commanding Officer
01:31:00 Chinatown Parking and Politics
01:33:03 Leave of Absence and Return
01:36:00 Vice and Search Warrants
01:37:11 Shooting on East Broadway
01:41:16 Corruption and Internal Affairs
01:46:40 Types of IAB Officers
01:49:21 Petty Investigations and Integrity Tests
01:50:38 Steven Lee Case Discussion
01:53:03 Retirement and Life After NYPD
01:56:33 Policing Today and Public Perception
02:01:19 Police Presence and Deterrence
02:04:36 Final Reflections and Book Announcement
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Bo Cornelius went from battling alcohol addiction to serving six years in Missouri state prison after a drunk driving accident took another man's life. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Bo opens up about how his drinking spiraled out of control, the devastating day that changed two families forever, and what it took to survive behind bars. He shares how prison forced him to confront his actions, rebuild his life, and discover a new purpose. Today, as the founder of Second Mountain, Bo is helping transform prison culture through leadership programs that empower incarcerated individuals and correctional staff across state and federal facilities.
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Connect with Bo Cornelius:
https://www.secondmountainleadership.org/about-us
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Drinking Every Day
00:32 Who Is Bo Cornelius?
00:52 Childhood and Moving Around
02:38 Following His Mom's Marriages
03:18 A Chip on His Shoulder
05:16 Childhood Trauma and Religious Abuse
07:02 Finding Perspective in Prison
09:48 Where Leadership Came From
12:00 What Money Meant to Him
13:42 The First Drink at Work
15:12 Pain, Pills, and Escalation
17:02 Seizures and Probation
19:50 The Rehab That Failed
21:05 Family History of Addiction
22:37 How the Community Saw Him
23:54 The Day of the Accident
28:00 Learning Someone Died
31:32 Functioning While Drunk
33:25 Community Reaction and Shame
36:58 Depression in the Aftermath
38:20 The First Prison Visit
41:48 Facing the Prison Sentence
43:52 Why His Wife Stayed
47:56 Preparing for Prison
49:18 First Day Behind Bars
54:11 Entry Point and Rock Bottom
57:53 From Five House to 16 House
01:00:10 Finding His Way in Prison
01:03:38 Prison Politics Surprises
01:07:53 Why Prisons Make It That Way
01:11:43 Case Managers and Counselors
01:14:40 No Real Job Training
01:17:30 Why He Chose the Dog Program
01:21:00 The Moment It Hit Him
01:22:36 The Day Kenny Died
01:28:00 Finding Leadership at the Summit
01:33:20 Building Community Behind Bars
01:37:17 Writing the GLA Proposal
01:40:02 Launching the GLA Program
01:43:55 How the Program Works
01:48:40 Sticking With It After Release
01:51:20 The Summit After Prison
01:54:01 Starting Second Mountain
01:59:00 Returning to Prison
02:00:10 The Death That Changed Things
02:03:40 Bridging Inmates and Staff
02:08:51 What He Values Now
02:09:39 Trying to Make Amends
02:10:50 Advice to His Teenage Self
02:14:31 Closing Thoughts
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka