Episodes

  • Tracing the Baldwin Park Tragedy: A Murder, an Ambush, and the Search for Answers

    Tracing the Baldwin Park Tragedy: A Murder, an Ambush, and the Search for Answers
    Jun 5 2025
    Here’s what we know about the murder of a man in Baldwin Park, California on Saturday, May 31, 2025 – that led to the ambush-killing of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and a gunfight between officers and the suspected killer. A second officer was wounded and survived. The accused killer was publicly identified by authorities, and detectives are still trying to piece together all that happened. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    18 mins
  • Fallen: The Story of Officer Samuel Riveros

    Fallen: The Story of Officer Samuel Riveros
    Jun 3 2025
    Here’s what we know about the murder of a man in Baldwin Park, California on Saturday, May 31, 2025 – that led to the ambush-killing of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and a gunfight between officers and the suspected killer. A second officer was wounded and survived. The accused killer was publicly identified by authorities, and detectives are still trying to piece together all that happened. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    12 mins
  • Million-Dollar Crimes: Are the Jewelry Heists Connected?

    Million-Dollar Crimes: Are the Jewelry Heists Connected?
    May 30 2025
    Thieves hit at least 2 Southern California jewelry stores this week, possibly taking advantage of the holiday weekend when more businesses would be closed. Both stores are small, family-owned businesses that say they lost more than $1-million each in jewelry, valuables, and cash. Are the break-ins connected? And what about a number of other massive jewel and cash heists that are still unsolved? Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    13 mins
  • The Deputy Mayor Who Called in a Bomb Threat

    The Deputy Mayor Who Called in a Bomb Threat
    May 29 2025
    Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have announced that former deputy mayor Brian Williams has agreed to plead guilty to a charge related to a hoax bomb threat made at LA City Hall last Fall. Williams, who was Mayor Karen Bass' manager of public safety issues — and her liaison with outside law enforcement agencies, will admit he staged the call and reported a false threat to police, according to a plea agreement filed in court last week. Still a mystery — why did he do it? Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    13 mins
  • Fatigue Behind the Badge

    Fatigue Behind the Badge
    May 21 2025
    The tragic death of a 21-year-old LA County Sheriff’s deputy in a car crash this week raised renewed questions about how mandatory overtime shifts have exhausted some of the Department’s workforce. Dep. Daniel Chavira died at a hospital after he was airlifted from the scene of the crash. He was driving home after working a double shift at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic, and within hours we heard from some of his colleagues, who told us the, ‘relentless,’ required overtime has left thousands of deputies weary and in need of sleep (as of this recording the cause of the crash was still under investigation and it wasn’t clear whether fatigue on the part of any of those involved - played a role in the crash). Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    11 mins
  • Bombmaker in the Desert

    Bombmaker in the Desert
    May 21 2025
    Federal agents scouring online profiles that appear tied to the man who blew up a fertility clinic in Palm Springs — include some videos of explosive experiments in the desert! Some of the videos, which have since been taken-down from YouTube and other sites, show specific chemicals used in some of the tests. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    10 mins
  • Closing In: The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom

    Closing In: The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom
    May 21 2025
    We have a full account of the statements Lyle and Erik Menendez made in court this week just before a judge reduced their prison terms and opened the door to possible release on parole. Parole hearings are often scheduled months in advance, and it wasn’t clear when a hearing would happen. Then, late this week California prison officials announced a previously scheduled June 13, 2025 clemency suitability hearing would be “converted” to an initial parole hearing for the brothers. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    31 mins
  • The Menendez Challenge: Fighting for Freedom

    The Menendez Challenge: Fighting for Freedom
    May 13 2025
    Erik & Lyle Menendez will argue this week that they deserve to have their life-without-parole prison terms reduced after spending decades behind bars. A resentencing hearing, delayed repeatedly for a variety of reasons, is finally scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 13. The LA County District Attorney's Office says it will oppose it, after unsuccessfully trying to intervene to stop the proceeding entirely. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.
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    27 mins