2110: Cocaine Air
PRETEND
06/10/25
•48m
About
Comments
Featured In
This week on PRETEND, we're doing something different. I’m bringing on my friend Johnathan Walton, the mastermind behind Queen of the Con, to share the premiere episode of his brand-new podcast series: Cocaine Air.
Jonathan isn’t just a victim of a con artist—he’s turned his trauma into a storytelling empire. And in Cocaine Air, he tells the true story of TJ Dominguez, a Cuban-American businessman who got scammed out of $100,000 and decided to take matters into his own hands... by becoming one of the world’s biggest cocaine smugglers for Pablo Escobar.
This story is wild, raw, and straight out of the Miami Vice era—but it's all true. If you're into PRETEND, you’re going to love Cocaine Air.
🎙️ Guest: Johnathan Walton
🔗 Listen to the full series: CocaineAir.com
📚 Preorder Johnathan’s book: Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Flags of Scammers, Grifters, and Thieves (Out August 19).
Also, listen to Johnathan share his personal scam story for the first time on PRETEND: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ixMjLTNaxf4ONIuktqq7s?si=e80842100f984067If.
If you liked this episode, text it to a friend who loves true crime. And don’t forget to leave a review for both PRETEND and Cocaine Air. Indie creators like us rely on your support.
—
Created and hosted by Javier Leiva
For more episodes, visit pretendradio.org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Previous Episode
2109: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 4
June 3, 2025
•39m
In part 4 of 'The Internet Saves the Bachelor,' we examine the growing cracks in Laura Owens’ story as her pregnancy timeline collapses under scrutiny.
At one hearing, she claims to be 24 weeks pregnant. In another, she says she miscarried months earlier. The dates keep shifting — July, August, October — and still, no medical provider can confirm that she was ever pregnant.
Clayton Echard’s legal team seizes on the inconsistencies. They ask the court to dismiss the case, arguing it was filed in bad faith. Sanctions, attorney’s fees, and even questions of criminal liability begin to surface.
Sources:
SchnitzelNinja69 on YouTube
Dave Neal
Just Jen & Hay Bales – All the Best Research
Justice for Clayton Wiki
Megan Fox on YouTube
Credits:
Written by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames
Hosted by: Javier Leiva
Music: thechicken.net
Produced by: Creative Babble
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Next Episode
Listen Now: The Rise & Fall of Diddy: The Federal Trial
June 17, 2025
•10m
Opening statements rock the courtroom as federal prosecutors accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of running a decades-long criminal enterprise built on violence, sex trafficking, and power. The defense hits back hard, painting it all as a toxic relationship, not a RICO case. Then Cassie Ventura takes the stand, and everything changes. Her voice may be quiet. Her story is not.
Subscribe to The Rise & Fall of Diddy: The Federal Trial, exclusively and ad-free, right now on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
https://wondery.com/shows/the-rise-and-fall-of-diddy/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted