Crime House Daily – First Watch:
“HORRIBLE HOWIE” Wall Street Predator Exposed & Online Romance Turned Dismemberment
October 24, 2025 | Host: Katie Ring
Episode Overview
This First Watch episode spotlights two disturbing active cases:
- Howard “Horrible Howie” Rubin: A high-powered Wall Street financier accused of orchestrating a decade of violent sexual crimes, trafficking, and abuse using his wealth, a female assistant, and a secret Manhattan “dungeon.”
- June Bunyan’s Murder: A Scottish woman’s pursuit of the American dream—and love—culminates in a shocking murder and dismemberment. Her husband, who detailed the crime in a suicide note, survives and now stands trial.
Host Katie Ring provides clear, detail-rich updates, focusing on victim advocacy and the latest investigative developments.
Key Case 1: “HORRIBLE HOWIE” – Wall Street Predator Exposed (03:45–22:50)
Background & Timeline
- Howard Rubin, age 70 – A renowned Wall Street financier (Salomon Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, Soros Fund Management).
- "Howard seems to have it all. He's married, has three kids, is successful and very rich. The 1% of the 1%." (Katie, 05:01)
- Despite a massive trading scandal loss in the '80s (~$700 million today), Rubin rebounded and grew even wealthier.
- In 2011, Rubin established a secret life:
- Rented Penthouse (Manhattan, Metropolitan Tower, $18K/month), just blocks from his family’s home.
- Hired Jennifer Powers (~31 at the time) as his assistant, whose role was to set up an elaborate sexual torture chamber.
The Modus Operandi
- The room: Soundproofed, deep red walls, ropes, chains, sex toys, metal hooks, electric cattle prod, St. Andrew’s Cross.
- Jennifer Powers recruited women primarily via social media and modeling sites, focusing on those in financial distress or with substance abuse issues.
- “Howard feels that women in these situations are easier to take advantage of so he can feel like a big, strong man.” (Katie, 07:38)
- Victims offered ~$5,000, some told the deal involved sex, others recruited using the guise of modeling work.
- Upon arrival in New York:
- Signed NDAs (which, Katie clarifies, do not protect criminal acts)
- Drugged (alcohol, Valium), then taken to the penthouse dungeon
- Promises of “safe words,” which Rubin ignored: “He binds and gags women so forcefully they're not even able to speak...then beats and tortures them, including electrocuting them.” (Katie, 12:06)
- Violent tactics included physical assault, sexual abuse, and coercion—one woman’s breast implant was flipped, requiring surgery.
- If dissatisfied, Rubin and Powers would underpay victims and threaten them with legal action over NDAs or public exposure.
Civil Suit & Escalation
- Victims unite in 2017, file a civil suit for assault and rape—win a $3.9 million judgment (Katie, 13:56).
- Rubin’s wife divorces him post-revelations (2021).
- Jennifer Powers escapes liability in court but reaps financial rewards for aiding Rubin.
Criminal Charges & Ongoing Case
- Federal investigation kicks off after the civil case.
- Feds “speak with 10 women who describe the ways Howard brutalized and coerced them” (Katie, 15:50)
- Evidence: Payment receipts (Venmo, PayPal), medical records.
- September 26, 2025: FBI arrests Howard Rubin (Connecticut) and Jennifer Powers (Texas).
- Both charged with sex trafficking, interstate transportation, plus tax fraud and bank fraud (mortgage lies).
- Powers out on $850K bond, under house arrest; Rubin held without bail due to a $70 million offshore account (flight risk).
“Howard’s wealth let him buy silence for years, but it looks like the money finally ran out.”
Katie Ring – 16:36
- Prosecutors believe up to 10 other co-conspirators may have been involved, and dozens more victims await identification.
“We can only hope that as the case against Howard Rubin and Jennifer Powers continues, that the women get the justice they deserve.”
Katie Ring – 21:55
Key Case 2: June Bunyan – Online Romance Turned Dismemberment (22:50–26:50)
The Victim: June Bunyan
- Scottish, vibrant, passionate about law (multiple degrees, including a law degree from Robert Gordon University).
- Moved to the US in 2023, seeking to practice immigration law and pursue a relationship with Jonathan Rentaria—whom she’d met online.
Relationship Red Flags
- Quickly turned volatile; December 2023, June filed a restraining order after Jonathan threatened her life and immigration status.
- “He says some really aggressive things like that she deserves to suffer and he wishes she were dead.” (Katie, 24:13)
- The couple reconciled, restraining order dropped, and married; June opened Rentaria Paralegal Services.
Escalation & Murder
- June became pregnant; Jonathan criticized her appearance harshly before and after childbirth.
- June told a friend: “The further I go into this marriage, the less I feel I can depend on him. I’ve never seen him so nasty before.” (June, relayed by Katie, 25:01)
- September 4, 2025: June decides to leave—tells Jonathan he’ll never see his daughter again.
- Jonathan (25) allegedly strangled June (37) to death in a rage, then dismembered her, placing remains in plastic bags; left their infant daughter with his parents.
Discovery & Aftermath
- Jonathan checked into a hotel, attempted suicide on September 11, 2025.
- Police find him, and in the hotel room, his suicide note—meticulously confessing to the murder and providing the address to the crime scene.
- Police enter June’s apartment, find her dismembered remains (25:09).
- “As soon as they enter June's apartment, the smell of decaying remains smacks them in the face and when they go inside, they witness what Jonathan had done to her.” (Katie, 25:16)
Legal Developments
- Jonathan charged with murder and mutilation of remains; held on $4 million bail; pleads not guilty.
- His defense hints at a possible insanity plea rooted in temporary psychosis triggered by June’s threat to leave with their child.
- Next court date: November 18, 2025.
“All her loved ones want now is for her to come home.”
Katie Ring – 25:36
“Although he handed the police a confession on a silver platter through the suicide note, he pleads not guilty and his attorneys are trying to argue that he suffered from psychosis.”
Katie Ring – 26:17
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “It always blows my mind how so many powerful men have the most fragile egos and deepest insecurities.”
Katie Ring, 07:54 - “Even if the girls are getting paid, it will still be abuse.”
Katie Ring, 08:39 - “Almost all traffickers have a female recruiter, because women are more likely to lower their guard around other women.”
Katie Ring, 08:51 - On June Bunyan:
“She’s earned multiple degrees, but her true passion is law...June earns her law degree from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. Afterward, she comes to the US to take the bar exam in hopes of someday becoming a defense attorney specializing in immigration law.”
Katie Ring, 23:56
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:45 | Howard Rubin's background & setup | | 07:35 | Details of recruitment and exploitation of women | | 12:01 | First-hand accounts of abuse and intimidation tactics | | 13:56 | 2017 Civil suit and aftermath | | 15:50 | Federal criminal investigation and mounting evidence | | 16:36 | Arrests & scope of prosecution (flight risk, co-conspirators) | | 21:55 | Hope for further justice for victims | | 22:50 | Introduction to June Bunyan case | | 23:56 | June’s background, relationship with Jonathan Begin | | 24:13 | Escalation of relationship abuse | | 25:01 | June planning to leave, murder and concealment | | 25:16 | Discovery of remains, GoFundMe, charging of Jonathan | | 26:17 | Defense’s possible insanity plea & next court date |
Final Thoughts
Host Katie Ring provides incisive, compassionate analysis—emphasizing the importance of ongoing legal processes while championing victims' voices. She encourages listeners to follow for further updates and submits each case to the court of public engagement (“Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments.”).
For real-time developments, listeners are directed to Crime House Daily’s YouTube and socials.
Summary by Crime House Podcast Assistant — October 24, 2025