John Dillinger: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Enemy Number One

John Dillinger: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Enemy Number One

Author: Robert Riggs July 9, 2024 Duration: 30:58
John Dillinger & The Lady In Red Confronted Leaving The Biograph Theater in Chicago July 22, 1934. Artists Rendition

John Dillinger was the most famous outlaw of the 1930s—a charming yet elusive bank robber who captured the public’s imagination and fueled an entire genre of crime melodramas during the darkest days of the Great Depression.

His daring escapades, including multiple jailbreaks and bank heists, captivated the nation and earned him the moniker of “Public Enemy Number One” from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

Join me as I delve into the life and legacy of John Dillinger, the man behind the myth.


Listen to my earlier episode The John Dillinger Enigma: Did The FBI Really Kill Public Enemy #1?


FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast 

SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter

THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.

TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT  that you want to hear more about


Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

True Crime Reporter
Podcast Episodes
Rise And Fall Of A Pro Pitcher: From the Bull Pen To The Texas Pen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:58
The high school baseball player hung a homemade motivational sign on the wall of his bedroom. It read Brandon Puffer will be a Major League Baseball player. Indeed, Puffer made it to what ballplayers call “The Show.” Onl…
Fearless In The Face Of Murder: Unstoppable Detective Johnny Bonds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:52
God forbid if I ever was murdered, I would want Johnny Bonds on the case. His name sounds like a film noir detective. Johnny Bonds is the stuff true crime legends are made of. In 1972, he became the youngest officer ever…
She Lived Next Door To America’s Most Infamous Killer: The UNABOMBER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
Before, there was Osama bin Laden. Before, there was Timothy McVeigh. There was Ted Kaczynski. The UNABOMBER. FBI codename for “UNiversity and Airline BOMBER.” For sixteen years, Jamie Gehring grew up next door to Ted Ka…
How DNA Forensic Genetic Genealogy Brought A Monster To Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:21
50 Sexual Assault Victims Will Never Forget The Stare of Serial Rapist David Hawkins When He Held A Gun To Their Heads This is the third episode in my series about how new DNA technology solves previously unsolvable cold…
The Enduring Fascination of Bonnie and Clyde: A Love Story Gone Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:26
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were two of the most notorious outlaws in American history, forever linked to the public consciousness. They were young, daring, and dangerous, and they captured the imagination of a countr…
Inside the Minds of Death Row Inmates: A Terrifying Journey Into Evil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:38
Jerry “Animal” McFadden Pastor Wayne Whiteside says, “there are people that seem to be hell-bent on being held bound.” Whiteside knows of what he preaches after ministering to prison inmates for thirty-nine years. He spe…