Criminal Podcast Summary: "The Double"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Criminal
• Host/Author: Vox Media Podcast Network
• Description: Criminal is the first of its kind—a show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge, it was named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times and is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
• Episode: The Double
• Release Date: July 18, 2025

Introduction to the Case

Phoebe Judge opens the episode by introducing a perplexing identity theft case involving two men named William Woods.

• [01:04] Phoebe Judge: "Had you ever seen a case like this before?"
• [01:08] Detective Ian Mallory: "No, I have never seen a case like this before and I don't know that anyone has seen a case like this before."

Detective Ian Mallory from the University of Iowa Police Department was assigned to investigate William Woods, a 54-year-old IT professional whose identity had been stolen by another man also claiming the name William Woods in California.

The Initial Conflict

William Woods from Wisconsin reported harassment and fraudulent activities by a man in California claiming to be him.

• [01:29] Detective Ian Mallory: "William Woods was an IT professional... a quiet man, but definitely a family man."

Both men asserted they were the real William Woods, each providing what they believed was proof, leading to mutual accusations of identity theft.

• [02:44] Detective Ian Mallory: "Someone clearly was not telling the truth."

To differentiate them, Mallory coined nicknames: California Bill and Wisconsin Bill.

• [03:44] Detective Ian Mallory: "I called them California Bill and Wisconsin Bill to delineate between the two."

California Bill’s Struggles and Arrest

Brittany Mejia, an LA Times reporter, provides background on California Bill’s tumultuous life.

• [04:10] Brittany Mejia: "He gets to Southern California, spends several years in San Diego... sells gemstones, gold scraps, or other items he found on the streets of downtown LA's jewelry district."

California Bill discovered significant fraudulent debt in his name and attempted to close his bank accounts, leading to his arrest for unauthorized use of personal information.

• [05:02] Brittany Mejia: "He gives the assistant branch manager his Social Security card, his California ID..."
• [05:47] Brittany Mejia: "He told her, no one in California should be accessing his bank account..."

California Bill was charged with identity theft and false impersonation but exhibited unusual behavior during his court proceedings, discussing conspiracy theories which cast doubt on his credibility.

• [06:10] Brittany Mejia: "He was talking about FBI... the World Trade Center... Betsy Ross."
• [06:57] Brittany Mejia: "His lawyer was saying he wasn't competent to stand trial."

Eventually, California Bill was deemed incompetent and spent over a year in jail and psychiatric facilities.

Detective Mallory’s Deep Dive Investigation

Detective Mallory began unraveling the complexities of the case by examining criminal records and birth certificates.

• [12:10] Detective Ian Mallory: "He provided me a lot of information that he's been through this before..."
• [13:29] Detective Ian Mallory: "One person committed a crime on one side of the United States, but then another person could commit a crime on the other side..."

Mallory requested birth certificates from both individuals, uncovering discrepancies in their middle names.

• [15:47] Detective Ian Mallory: "Both individuals had sent me essentially the same birth record."

Suspecting deceit, Mallory traced William Woods' father in Kentucky, leading to a crucial DNA test.

• [18:11] Detective Ian Mallory: "It confirmed what I had suspected, that California Bill was the biological son of the man listed on the birth certificate in Kentucky."

Unmasking Matthew Kearns

The DNA results revealed that California Bill was actually Matthew David Kearns, born in Southern California and adopted, living under a false identity.

• [19:34] Detective Ian Mallory: "I knew right away that William Woods of Wisconsin was really named Matthew David Kearns."

Matthew Kearns had a history of petty crimes and had been evading the law since his teenage years, adopting the William Woods identity to start anew.

• [22:20] Phoebe Judge: "Matthew Kearns was born in Southern California and was adopted..."

His criminal activities under the guise of William Woods included significant financial fraud, amassing over $200,000 in loans.

The Arrest and Legal Proceedings

In July 2023, Detective Mallory orchestrated the arrest of Matthew Kearns in Iowa.

• [25:57] Detective Ian Mallory: "I told him that he was under arrest."

During a lengthy six-hour interview, Kearns maintained his deceit until confronted with evidence of his true identity.

• [27:14] Phoebe Judge: "Matthew Kierans called William woods, 'crazy,' and said he should be locked up."

Kearns was charged with lying to a credit union and aggravated identity theft, ultimately pleading guilty.

• [31:06] Trish Mahaffey: "The judge really said that parents was just callous and ruthless for his manipulation of the criminal justice system."

Impact on William Woods

The wrongful imprisonment of William Woods had devastating effects. He endured eight months in jail and 147 days in a psychiatric hospital due to Kearns' fraudulent actions.

• [32:24] Phoebe Judge: "At the hearing, Matthew Kieran spoke briefly. He said, 'my intentions were not to hurt anyone.'"
• [33:04] Trish Mahaffey: "I kept watching Matthew Karen's... But I never saw him really look at Bill Woods."

Despite the resolution, William Woods continues to struggle with instability, moving between shelters and grappling with the aftermath of the identity theft.

• [34:54] Brittany Mejia: "William's telling me... he was just like, still bouncing around."

In 2024, the District Attorney’s office in Los Angeles vacated Woods' conviction, offering an apology for the immense hardship he endured.

• [35:40] Phoebe Judge: "In 2024, the District Attorney's office in Los Angeles vacated William Woods' conviction for identity theft and false impersonation. They apologized for the unfathomable hardship he has endured."

Conclusion and Reflections

Detective Ian Mallory reflects on the complexities of the case and his brief interaction with William Woods during Kearns' sentencing.

• [32:03] Detective Ian Mallory: "I was not expecting to see him or meet him when I had the opportunity to... So it was a very quick, rushed initial meeting. I gave him a hug, shook his hand."

Brittany Mejia emphasizes the tragic nature of the case, highlighting William Woods as a vulnerable individual who was deeply wronged.

• [34:25] Brittany Mejia: "This is someone who is unhoused, who's vulnerable... I can't imagine living in a situation where no one believes that I'm me."

The episode concludes by highlighting the severe repercussions of identity theft and the profound injustices faced by the real William Woods.

Notable Quotes

• Detective Ian Mallory [02:44]: "Someone clearly was not telling the truth."
• Brittany Mejia [04:10]: "He sells gemstones, gold scraps, or other items he found on the streets of downtown LA's jewelry district."
• Trish Mahaffey [31:06]: "The judge really said that parents was just callous and ruthless for his manipulation of the criminal justice system."
• Brittany Mejia [34:25]: "The truth is important, and now the truth is known. This is a real nightmare scenario..."

Key Insights and Lessons

• Identity Theft Complexity: The case of "The Double" showcases the intricate and devastating impacts of identity theft, especially when perpetrated by someone meticulously assuming another's identity.

• Vulnerable Victims: William Woods exemplifies how individuals who are vulnerable—due to mental health issues, unstable living conditions, or lack of support—can fall prey to complex identity theft schemes.

• Law Enforcement Challenges: Detective Mallory's investigation underscores the significant challenges law enforcement faces in untangling identity fraud, especially when it spans multiple states and involves deep deception.

• Systemic Failures: The wrongful imprisonment and psychiatric hospitalization of William Woods highlight potential systemic failures in verifying identities and protecting individuals from fraud.

• Psychological Toll: The prolonged struggle for William Woods reveals the profound psychological and emotional toll that such identity theft can inflict on victims.

Final Thoughts

"The Double" serves as a poignant reminder of the real-life consequences of identity theft, not just financially but also in terms of personal freedom and mental health. Through meticulous storytelling and in-depth analysis, Criminal sheds light on the intricate web of deception and the human stories caught within it.

Note: This summary extracts and organizes the critical elements of the episode "The Double," providing a comprehensive overview while incorporating notable quotes and timestamps to enhance understanding.