Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Sheryl McCollum is joined by human trafficking survivor and advocate Tina Dixon, who ran away as a young teenager before being trafficked through the Dixie Mafia’s network of brothels and organized prostitution across the South. Together, they discuss the grooming, manipulation, violence, and addiction traffickers use to control their victims and how organized trafficking operations adapt to changing technology as recruitment expands through social media and other online platforms. Tina also explains what finally helped her break free after decades of exploitation and why she has made it her mission to help others escape trafficking and rebuild their lives.
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl explains the Dixie Mafia’s ties to human trafficking and the importance of understanding victimology in investigations
(2:00) Why investigators distinguish between different forms of commercial sexual exploitation and how those differences shape an investigation
(3:45) Tina runs away at 14, arrives on Bourbon Street, and becomes involved with an outlaw motorcycle club
(8:30) The differences between a “Cassanova pimp” and a “gorilla pimp” and how traffickers use manipulation before violence
(10:15) Inside Louisiana's prostitution “circuit” of roadside bars, gambling rooms, and brothels hidden throughout the bayous
(11:45) How traffickers groom children online using social media, emotional manipulation, and false promises
(15:00) Childhood abuse, addiction, and the vulnerabilities traffickers intentionally exploit
(17:15) Inside a rural brothel: how victims are trained, controlled, and punished
(23:15) Why traffickers profit while victims are left with addiction, trauma, and nothing to show for years of exploitation
(24:15) How online predators continue using the same grooming tactics to recruit children today
(26:45) The confrontation that led to Tina being shot twice
(30:00) Why Destiny House, Hookers for Jesus, and EMDR finally succeeded after 17 rehab attempts

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Tina Dixon is the founder and executive director of Queens Arise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking build independent futures through education, career training, mentorship, and long-term recovery support. After surviving decades of trafficking herself, Tina now helps survivors create lasting stability while advocating for survivor-led solutions.
Learn more about Tina and sign up for updates on her upcoming memoir, Going to the Country: https://queensarise.org/tina-dixon/

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:
Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast●
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.
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A Florida jury has convicted Mario Fernandez Saldana of first-degree murder and solicitation in the 2022 ambush slaying of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan. In Texas, former high school teacher Holly Adams was arrested following a year-long investigation into allegations of inappropriate relationships with students. Meanwhile, a reckless Florida driver fleeing a traffic stop slammed head-on into a school bus carrying 19 children before deputies apprehended him on foot. Sydney Silvagni reports.
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The United Cajun Navy has been instrumental in the investigation into 18‑year‑old Nolan Wells' death. Nolan went missing July 4, after a boat trip to Horn Island, Mississippi. He was found dead two days later. Nancy speaks with Josh Gill, United Cajun Navy Incident Commander. He was involved in the search for Nolan from the very beginning, and had early contact with Nolan's mom. He details that contact for Nancy, including accompanying her for a meeting with the coroner.
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Karmelo Anthony’s motion for a new trial in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf,17, has been denied. Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury rejected his self-defense claim.
In the motion for a new trial, Anthony's defense team claimed the trial was unfair due to:
Restrictions on public access to proceedings, citing security concerns, a “gentleman’s agreement” between prosecutors and defense to suppress potentially damaging character evidence about both Anthony and Metcalf, claims Anthony was coerced into waiving his right to testify because of the agreement, alleged jury instructions that self-defense did not apply if Anthony provoked the altercation.
New allegations and evidence put before the court as prosecutors revealed that Anthony’s ex-girlfriend reported him to school for stalking and sent texts saying he was “lowkey on the verge” and wanted to “stab someone” and “lick the blood off the blade.” Defense attorneys presented school and phone records showing Metcalf spray-painted racial slurs and phrases like “KKK” and “Heil Hitler.”
The Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas will review the denial. Anthony’s attorneys, say they will continue the appeal and pursue all legal remedies.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Jeff Metcalf (TX) - Austin Metcalf's Father and founder of 'Austin Metcalf Foundation' - Non-profit will focus on emotional regulation and conflict resolution. Website: https://austinmetcalffoundation.org
Dr. Bruce C. Carter - Director, Austin Metcalf Foundation
Renee Rockwell - Criminal Defense Attorney, Facebook: Renee.Rockwell
Philip Dubé - Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
Dave Mack - Crime Online investigative reporter
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The investigation into Nolan Wells' death continues. Today, a local resident and frequent visitor to Horn Island joins Nancy Grace and her panel today to explain what he saw that day.
Joining Nancy Grace:
Philip Dubé  - Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
Ben Dobrin - Emergency Response Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer, Police Diver, Emergency Services Diver
Jeff Gentry - Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst, Senior Crime Scene Analyst and Death investigator, Former Toxicology Lab Analyst, Author: "Forensic Science: Applications to Death and Crime Scene Investigations" ; TikTok: @jeffreygentryBPA, FB: Jeff Gentry Bloodstain Pattern Analyst , website: Evidenceoverassumption.com
Johnny Hewett - was at Horn Island that day on July 4th.
Dr. Jan Gorniak - - Fmr. Medical Examiner, Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner, Board Certified Forensic Pathologist and founder of: World Peace Forensic Consulting, LLC EMAIL: drquincydo@sbcglobal.net
Brett Talley - Co-host, "The Prosecutors Podcast", www.prosecutorspodcast.com, former prosecutor, socials: @prosecutorpodFormer Prosecutor
Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'
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