Pastor James Fields grew up in Connecticut in a good family, but after high school he made a decision that changed his life — stepping into the drug game during the height of the 1980s. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, he shares how he built a massive drug operation, at one point making over $1,000 a minute and amassing millions, all while beginning to transition into the music business as a way out. Just as he was trying to leave that life behind, the feds caught up to him, leading to a 20-year federal prison sentence. Pastor Fields breaks down how he built his empire, what the drug game was really like in the 80s, what ultimately got him arrested, and how he survived years in federal prison. He also opens up about turning his life around, finding faith, and rebuilding with purpose after prison — offering a powerful story of success, consequences, and redemption.

Greg McNeal grew up in Chicago in a good family, but when his parents fell into addiction, he turned to the streets at a young age. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Greg shares how he used his business mindset to build a drug empire while also opening legitimate businesses, always believing he had an exit plan. That all came crashing down when the feds caught him up in a case tied to someone else, leading to a trial and a 25-year federal prison sentence. Greg breaks down what it was like facing that kind of time, serving four years behind bars, and then doing the unthinkable — winning his appeal on a technicality. He explains how his sentence was reduced to a year and a day, finishing his time in a federal camp, and what it took to completely rebuild his life after prison.

Joseph Murphy grew up in a good family in Wisconsin, but at just 17 years old he made a decision that changed everything — committing an armed gas station robbery that sent him into the criminal justice system. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Joseph opens up about living with mental health disabilities while navigating county jail, prison, and years on probation, where violations kept pulling him back in. Despite receiving a rare pardon from the governor, he later found himself facing new charges for check fraud and business fraud, leading to more time in both Iowa and Wisconsin jails and prisons. Joseph shares what it was like being stuck in the system for decades, the challenges of surviving incarceration with a disability, and how difficult it is to truly break free once you’re in. After finally getting out, he landed a job with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, only to be fired for discrimination related to his disability — a case he fought and ultimately settled.

Monique Sosnowski is a wildlife crime researcher, professor, and security specialist who studies one of the most hidden criminal industries in the world — the illegal wildlife trade. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, she exposes how animal trafficking, poaching, and black market networks actually operate, including shocking cases happening right here in the United States. From the underground tiger trade to the reality of people keeping monkeys as pets, Monique breaks down how these industries thrive, why enforcement is so difficult, and how these crimes often go unnoticed despite generating billions globally.

Jonathan Parsons grew up in a good family but fell into addiction at a young age, a path that nearly cost him everything before he got sober at just 21 years old. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Jonathan shares how he stayed clean for seven years and built a life as a paramedic and firefighter, only for the trauma and stress of the job to pull him back into addiction. What followed was a rapid downward spiral — losing his career, his business, and his relationships, and ultimately landing in jail multiple times. Jonathan opens up about the mental toll of being a first responder, how relapse can happen even after years of sobriety, and what it took to hit rock bottom and start fighting his way back.