F.L.I.P.

On the afternoon of January 26th FLIP and FLIP Justice  founder Vicki Siedow happened to see a Twitter tweet, not directed at her, but very much of interest.  Shaun King, a pastor from Atlanta, had received a tip that human traffickers were trying to buy a number of children out of a Haitian hospital.  Within moments FLIP became involved.  Siedow started getting the word out.  FLIP and FLIP Justice members Melinda Kidder, Dottie Laster & Jesse Watson were suddenly very busy.  They were among those who, using only their contacts over the telephone and social networking sites, went to work to stop  the traffickers.  More here.

FLIP member Melinda Kidder once again in the news

By Alicia Stice

Published Nov. 10, 2009

Cheating spouses are one of many cases private investigators in Columbia are hired to watch; people who have skipped out on their debt are another.

Melinda Kidder, owner and lead investigator of Columbia Investigations, said her team’s specialty is surveillance and undercover work…..more here - “the maneater.”

Melinda Kidder

FLIP founder Vicki Siedow interviewed by Diane Mapes for her MSNBC technology section article on Intelius’ new smart phone application.  They say that it will instantly background check one’s date. Does it really work?  Is it a good idea?  Can it be misused?  Read here.

Sheila Klopper

Many congratulations to Private Investigator and FLIP member Sheila Klopper from San Jose, CA and of course to John Stoll who was just awarded a 5 million dollar settlement to be paid by Kern County, CA. Sheila won her well deserved CALI’s Investigator of the Year award for her excellent work in conjunction with the Northern CA Innocence Project on John’s case which resulted in his exoneration and release in 2004. No amount of money can make up for 20 years of wrongful incarceration, but perhaps John’s portion of the 5 million dollar settlement will at least make the rest of his days a little easier.

Stoll’s award was a result of his wrongful conviction in the 1980’s, part of a string of child molestation cases that sent 34 innocent Bakersville, California residents to prison.  Klopper located the former child witnesses, now grown, who originally testified against Stoll through the use of social security numbers, highlighting the legal and investigative community’s need for continued access.  These witnesses subsequently testified on behalf of his innocence.

Stoll was featured in the “must see” the Sean Penn documentary, Witch Hunt.

NEWS FLASH:

<SHHH> FLIP Member, National Human Trafficking expert, President of Laster Global Consulting, and Executive Director Million Kids, Dottie Laster  is creating a TV project on human trafficking, any YOU just might be involved!

Catch Dottie on a 1 hour radio special on that topic TODAY at 9 pm Eastern Time, 6 pm Pacific, along with former ADA Sex crime Prosecutor, TV Crime Analyst and Author Robin Sax and international investigator Logan Clarke, who along with his team have investigated and solved some of the most noted cases in the United States, involving everything from high-profile homicides to airline disasters.

Listen live via podcast: Scared Monkey Radio;  Scared Monkey Blog, usually posted an hour or two before the show; or via Twitter.

See you there!

Technorati Profile

Columbia, MO private investigator and martial arts instructor Melinda Kidder profiled in “The Missourian’s” ”Vox Magazine.” 

Melinda Kidder

FLIP member Lorrie Nixon appears tonight and next week on Fox Reality Chanel’s new show “Busted and Disgusted” episodes 8 and 9.  The series uses hidden cameras to “bust” people doing “disgusting” things.   Check listings here

William Westover

Marcy Randolph

Two and a half years ago, Phoenix AZ attorney William Westover flew a Cessna out of the Deer Valley airport, headed towards Sedona.  Aboard was a new acquaintance, Marcy Randolph.  They never arrived.

FLIP Member Jayne McElfresh has devoted a tremendous amount of time since then, coordinating efforts to locate Westover, her long time client and friend.  She was joined by many, including the Missing Aircraft Search Team, a group of skilled volunteers that assists in searches long after the official searches have ended.

On April 22, 2009 the search ended.  Our kudos to all the officials and volunteers who worked together to resolve this case, and especially to Jayne for her tireless efforts, and perseverance.  Learn the whole story of  The Search for N2700Q

More on the search and discovery