Crime House Daily – First Watch: The Facebook Photo That Caught a Predator in the Act
Host: Katie Ring
Release Date: December 3, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of Crime House Daily, Katie Ring covers two headline-making stories:
- A disturbing case from Illinois involving Robin Poulston, a mother who preyed on her teenage daughter's date, resulting in pregnancy and her arrest after Facebook photos revealed the crime.
- The harrowing kidnapping and murder of California cannabis entrepreneur Tushar Atre, a case with lingering mysteries even after suspects’ convictions.
The episode unpacks the timelines, investigations, and the chilling details behind both cases, highlighting how social media and forensic evidence played pivotal roles.
Case 1: The Facebook Photo That Caught a Predator in the Act
Case Timeline & Key Details
- Robin Poulston, 41/43 years old (Illinois): Mother, cosmetologist, and community member.
- In May 2023, chaperoned her daughter’s 8th grade dance; fixated on her daughter's 13-year-old date.
- Following the dance, Robin kept in touch with the teenage boy, despite his family’s move to Nevada.
- Communications escalated into an illegal, predatory relationship, culminating in two recorded assaults (Dec 2023 and April 2024).
- Robin became pregnant by the 14-year-old and conspired to conceal the true paternity.
Criminal Behavior & Cover-Up
- Used burner phones and fake names for contact with the boy.
- Only Robin's mother and sister knew the truth; they actively helped cover it up.
- Claimed baby’s father was a fictitious military boyfriend (“Brian/Bryant/Ryan”).
- Included the actual father (the boy) in maternity photos posted online, passing him off as someone else’s brother.
- Facebook and public photo-sharing ultimately exposed the deception.
Discovery & Investigation
- Robin posted maternity photos with the boy, raising suspicions among her former in-laws.
- The in-laws checked the middle school yearbook and confirmed identity.
- “When the photographer got there, she was immediately weirded out by how young the boy looked...” (07:00)
- Police were contacted, a criminal investigation initiated.
- Birth certificate gave the child the same middle name and last name as the victim.
Evidence and Arrest
- Police struggled to locate the boy after Robin sent him back to Nevada, but DNA samples were collected and linked him to Robin’s newborn.
- Forensic analysis of the boy’s phone revealed dozens of explicit video recordings Robin had made and sent to him.
- Robin arrested on November 3, 2025; held without bail due to risk of contacting the victim.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "[Robin] brought the teenage boy to her baby shower. She told everyone there that he was her boyfriend’s younger brother... The boy was clearly posing in the pictures as the father." (Katie Ring, 07:55)
- "Looking at the photos, Robin’s former in-laws thought something was sketchy. Not only was the father of Robin’s baby super young, but he looked familiar." (Katie Ring, 08:24)
- “The only people who knew the truth were Robin’s mother and sister, who went along with it and even helped Robin carry out the predatorial relationship while covering it up.” (Katie Ring, 05:59)
- “She was so confident in her cover story, she even brought the teenage boy to her baby shower...” (Katie Ring, 07:55)
- "When the photographer shared the maternity photos to her page, Robin commented on the post to point out how uncomfortable the boy looked in them. She said, 'He may need a few more shoots before he's as comfortable as me. Typical guy...'" (Katie Ring, 08:10)
Timestamps & Key Segments
- 03:12: Introduction to the case, Robin’s background, and initial relationship with the boy
- 05:46: Details of the cover-up; burner phones, fake names, and complicit family
- 07:00: Maternity shoot and the Facebook post that exposed the crime
- 08:24: In-laws become suspicious; yearbook investigation
- 11:34: Police pursue DNA, gather video evidence from boy’s phone
- 12:55: Arrest, charges, and implications for Robin’s trial
Charges & Current Status
- Robin Poulston: Two counts of criminal sexual assault (victim 13–17), two counts of possession of CSAM (child sexual abuse material)
- Held without bail; arraignment scheduled for December 4, 2025
- Investigation ongoing regarding the involvement of Robin’s mother and sister
Case 2: The Kidnapping and Murder of Tushar Atre
Background & Victim Profile
- Tushar Atre: Tech CEO, cannabis farm owner, outdoorsman, and German immigrant from New York.
- Survived a near-fatal traffic accident at 20, built a new life in California, became a successful tech entrepreneur, and later a cannabis mogul.
The Crime
Timeline & Motive
- Summer 2019: Caleb Charters (19) and Steven Lindsay (22) work at Tushar’s farm; conflict arises over lost wages and harsh treatment, fueling resentment.
- October 1, 2019: Caleb and Steven (with Curtis Charters, 22, and Joshua Camps, 23) plan to rob Tushar. They cite grueling labor, underpayment, and Tushar’s aggressive management style as motives.
- The group obtains Tushar's home security code and arms themselves for the heist.
Kidnapping & Murder
- At ~3 am, three suspects enter Tushar’s Santa Cruz home, zip-tie him, and search the house.
- Tushar attempts escape and is stabbed in the neck by Joshua; transported in his girlfriend's BMW to the cannabis farm, where Joshua shoots him dead.
- Crime scene reveals blood-stained BMW and Tushar’s body nearby.
Investigation, Arrests, and Trials
- Quick police response initiated by houseguests who overheard the attack.
- Surveillance captures the suspects and Tushar’s desperate escape attempt ([21:20]).
- Cell phone records and area security footage tie the suspects to the crime.
- May 2020: All four suspects arrested and charged.
- 2025: Steven and Curtis convicted and sentenced to life without parole; Caleb and Joshua trials ongoing.
Post-Conviction Twist: The Joshua Letter
- Post-trial, Steven submits a handwritten letter (purportedly from Joshua) for habeas corpus petition, claiming Joshua alone decided to kill Tushar in panic (“he knew Tushar would bleed to death... so he shot him to put him out of his misery.”).
- The letter is now central to legal wrangling and may affect pending trials.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He told them he was, quote, worth thousands of dollars an hour. So anyone who wastes his time is costing him money.” (Katie Ring, 15:44)
- “[Tushar] got out of the house and his surveillance cameras caught him running down Point Pleasant Drive screaming for help.” (Katie Ring, 17:14)
- “The story behind this letter is pretty mysterious, so let me break it all down.” (Katie Ring, 23:57)
- “I do not want anyone accidentally getting a hold of this. It could mess up my whole case. Please destroy it. Thank you.” (Quote from Joshua’s letter, 25:30)
Timestamps & Key Segments
- 13:34: Intro to Tushar Atre’s background and career
- 15:35: Employment disputes with future suspects
- 16:58: Planning and execution of the kidnapping
- 17:14–18:30: Attack, Tushar’s attempted escape, and murder
- 21:20: Police investigation, collection of evidence, and rapid composite of events
- 23:57: The mysterious post-sentencing letter and legal fallout
- 26:30: Host closes with a promise to update as the case continues
Host’s Reflections & Community Call-Out
- Katie reflects on the trust and failures of adults around minors in the first case, and on the "absolute wild" circumstances of a child moving out without parental awareness.
- Astonishment at overconfidence and carelessness of perpetrators in both cases.
- Encouragement for listeners to share thoughts and theories, and urges followers to stay tuned for updates.
Summary
This First Watch episode delivers detailed, up-to-minute coverage of two headline cases:
- A shocking saga of predatory exploitation and digital evidence ("the Facebook photo that caught a predator in the act"), underscoring the role of family, denial, and social media in contemporary crimes.
- An intricate tale of jealousy, betrayal, and murder in California’s cannabis industry, marked by failed workplace relationships and a new twist that could impact future legal outcomes.
For regular case updates:
Follow @rimehouse24.7 on social media.
Arraignments and trials pending; expect deep dives as developments unfold.