Anthony Watkins

       The POP has  finished his first podcast.    https://www.vegasfed.com

        So here are six 30 minute audio episodes about what was – arguably – the “biggest” criminal case, and trial, in Las Vegas history.  The kidnapping of casino boss Steve Wynn’s daughter.  He paid $1.45 million in ransom for her release.

         The case was quite a challenge for a relatively new federal prosecutor – me.

        However, I had the advantage of having had worked for a few years with cops in NY who were a lot tougher (and crazier) than most FBI agents.  More importantly, I has been one of them myself, briefly (SCPD 3rd. Pct. Squad 12 – 1982-1984).

         OK, I don’t like to brag, but in those 2 years I made about 100 arrests, got 5 commendations, was involved – sort of – in a shootout, and was sued for “brutality” by Thomas Ferry, brother of the national president of the Pagans OMG, Paul Ferry (aka “Ooch”).

         The legendary Kenny Hamilton and I thereafter nicknamed Thomas “Ouch”.

         The podcast is intended to be an inside look at how investigations – particularly local/fed “cooperative” endeavors – proceed.

         And of course the backdrop is Las Vegas – Sin City – the Strip.

         So, here is a memoir of a big time case in Las Vegas, ramrodded by the humble former 321 footman, who managed to get into all kinds of hijinks thanks to the cops he worked with – and loved – in the early 1980’s, and thereafter as an ADA.

       Enjoy some Las Vegas history, and share if you think the effort worthy.