Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult
Episode 4: The Buyer
Podcast: American Nightmares
Release Date: February 24, 2026

Overview

In this gripping fourth episode, host Aaron Mason unpacks how greed became the cult’s Achilles heel, paving the way for a dangerous undercover operation that finally exposed the Zion Society’s horrifying secrets. The episode focuses on Jeff Peterson’s desperate fight to rescue his children and the risky infiltration led by private investigator duo Philip and Cheryl Naugle, with Cheryl going undercover as "Suzanne Behrens." The formation of a lingerie business called “Sweet Things” and the cult’s starved finances provide the perfect opening for law enforcement and investigators to gather the critical evidence needed to bring down Arvin Shreve and his followers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff Peterson’s Battle for His Children (02:16–06:07)

• Background: Jeff’s ex-wife Carla joined the cult, taking two of their children and selling two others back for $10,000. He managed to arrange temporary custody but suffered as his kids returned from “visitation weekends” disturbed and emotionally withdrawn.
• Repeatedly, Jeff:
  • Sensed something was "off," yet lacked evidence (03:06–03:56)
  • Tried police, lawyers, social workers, to no avail (04:59, 05:42)
  • Was told by County Attorney Reed Richards, "You gotta prove it. I thought that was your job. He goes, no, you have to bring it to us. Well, how do you do that?" (04:59)
• "It was literally hell living with that. But then what do you do about it? Nothing you can do." — Jeff Peterson (03:22)
• Jeff kept up appearances to stay close, hoping for a mistake that would offer an opening (05:11–05:42)

2. The Cult's Financial Schemes and the Lingerie Business (06:07–10:41)

• The Zion Society demanded all new members sign over their assets, then ran various side businesses — but money was running out.
• Launched “Sweet Things,” a lingerie line, in hopes of rescuing group finances; Carla is put in charge.
• The cult tried to leverage local beauty businesses, like Aunt Judy's salon, but non-cult members like Judy quickly sensed they were hiding something (08:56)
• "They wanted my salon. ...They wanted my license to buy their shampoo.” — Cheryl Naugle as Aunt Judy, (08:56)
• Carla approaches Jeff hoping for new buyers; he realizes this is his opening.

3. The Naugles: Private Investigation and Undercover Operation (13:10–17:59, 19:31–24:23)

• Philip and Cheryl Naugle: Former investigator and wife team; move to Utah, open PI business.

• Jeff’s request for help leads them to devise a sting operation. Cheryl, playing "Suzanne Behrens," would pose as a wealthy Las Vegas buyer for Sweet Things lingerie, supposedly representing strip clubs desperate for bulk orders.

  "Philip always said there's two things that will pique people's interest: Sex and money." — Cheryl Naugle (18:20)

• Cheryl was nervous but committed: "I knew I was there for one purpose and one purpose only, and it was to get those kids out." (24:23)

• She thoroughly prepared—plane tickets, rental cars, fake backstories—to withstand any scrutiny (22:49–23:52)

4. Inside the Cult: Undercover Access and the Fashion Show (26:29–37:15)

• Cheryl's first impressions: pristine exteriors, eerily perfect interiors, smiling but vacant members ("Stepford wives"), absence of visible children.
• Met the leader, Arvin Shreve, under the guise of ignorance, successfully passed his initial “tests” (26:58–27:36)
• "He just looked like one of the gardeners ... he just looked like an average older man." (27:36)
• Fashion show featured both adult women and underage girls modeling lingerie, with many clearly nervous and under duress (34:02–36:03)
• "We had some crazy designs, man...it just felt more like gun to your head, forced fun. Like they knew if they messed up, something really bad would happen." — Aaron Mason (34:37–34:45)
• Notable that evidence gathered included video and photos (with body suits on the girls) of minors being sexualized (36:15–37:15)

5. Deeper Infiltration: Exploring the Community (37:28–43:54)

• Cheryl tours the "warehouse" — essentially a sweatshop with women and children sewing lingerie.
• Cult was heavily armed, with alarm systems and everyone (even children) taught to use weapons:
  • "We are all taught to use the guns, and we're not taught to maim, we're taught to kill...Even the kids." — Cheryl reports Carla, (38:00–38:33)
• Cheryl, as Suzanne, is increasingly trusted and shown more, including the children’s living quarters:
  • "Those poor kids, they were just like puppets. …They weren’t allowed to speak…They weren’t normal, unfortunately. It was very sad." — Cheryl Naugle (40:46)
• Arvin gives her a recruitment pitch — she records it all:
  • "Do you ever worry that people come in here for the wrong reasons? And he goes, oh, no. The Holy Ghost knows right away whether they're here for the right reasons or not." (42:55)
  • Cheryl’s reaction: “Your Holy Ghost is totally broken.” (43:12)

6. The Evidence is Delivered and Kids are Saved (45:57–51:20)

• Cheryl completes the sting, compiles her documentation, hands it to Jeff Peterson.
• Jeff confronts Carla with proof, negotiating custody in exchange for his silence about the abuse.
  • Carla agrees — "Jeff had to sign a legal document saying he wouldn’t talk to anyone."
  • He takes custody, rescuing his daughter and son from the cult.
• Devastating effects on the children are revealed:
  • “He thought Arvin was his dad. …He grabbed my hand, walked off like he knew me from forever. Not a tear on him.” — Jeff Peterson on his son (48:49)
  • “He started to basically vomit. Everything that happened in there just started coming out of his mouth. …The King made him dress like a girl…Did this make you uncomfortable? He says, yeah, it made me sad.” — Kate Peterson, recounting child’s trauma (49:54)
• Jeff describes attempting to rebuild a normal life, aware the children will always carry scars:
  • “The kids will never be right. None of them. They're all damaged from it. But at least we got our family back.” (51:20)

7. Converging Timelines: Law Enforcement Moves In (51:43–58:04)

• Dual stories converge: Jeff’s evidence surfaces just as Erin Anderson, a former cult member, approaches police.
• Law enforcement (Detective Mike King & Dave Lucas) must collect corroborating evidence to support Erin's testimony.
  • “Because just being weird isn't illegal. … It was Erin Anderson’s admission of child abuse that activated a criminal investigation.” (03:56)
• County Attorney Reed Richards finds Jeff’s original file, which leads police to connect the dots between Erin Anderson’s testimony and the Peterson children (54:26–55:58)
• Critical breakthrough:
  • “I was handed the videotape…showing the sexualization and the exploitation of the children.” — Detective, (57:08)

8. Building the Case and Planning the Raid (58:04–End)

• Detectives work around the clock, collecting interviews, mapping the neighborhood, petitioning for search warrants for a simultaneous raid across cult homes.
• Erin provides floor plans and lists of where people live.
• "With all the interconnected security systems and stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, they weren't going to just be able to walk up and knock on a few doors. If the alarm was sounded, children could be taken away and evidence destroyed." (58:37)
• Culminates with a carefully planned raid at dawn, just 24 days after Erin’s report — the entire Zion Society operation is about to be exposed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“It was literally hell living with that. But then what do you do about it? Nothing you can do.”
— Jeff Peterson (03:22)

"Philip always said there's two things that will pique people's interest: Sex and money."
— Cheryl Naugle (18:20)

"We are all taught to use the guns, and we're not taught to maim, we're taught to kill...Even the kids."
— Cheryl reporting Carla (38:00–38:33)

"He grabbed my hand, walked off like he knew me from forever. Not a tear on him. He had no attachment. That's unbelievable."
— Jeff Peterson (48:49)

“He started to basically vomit. Everything that happened in there just started coming out of his mouth.”
— Kate Peterson about Jeff’s son (49:54)

"Do you ever worry that people come in here for the wrong reasons?"
"Oh no, the Holy Ghost knows right away whether they're here for the right reasons or not."
— Cheryl Naugle and Arvin Shreve (42:55)

“I was handed the videotape taken by the private investigator showing the sexualization and the exploitation of the children.”
— Detective (57:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment & Content | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:16–06:07 | Jeff Peterson’s custody struggles & the cult’s power over his children | | 06:07–10:41 | Zion Society’s financial desperation & Sweet Things lingerie business origin | | 13:10–17:59 | Introduction of the Naugles, PI operation plan forms | | 19:31–24:23 | Cheryl/Suzanne’s undercover preparations & first infiltration | | 26:29–37:15 | Deep inside: Cheryl’s encounters, the infamous lingerie fashion show | | 38:00–43:54 | The cult’s armament, increasing trust, and Cheryl’s expanded access | | 45:57–51:20 | Evidence delivered, Jeff rescues his children, the release-unveiling abuse | | 51:43–58:04 | Law enforcement investigation & breakthrough, timelines align | | 58:04–End | Planning the dawn raid, stakes raised, dramatic cliffhanger |

Episode Tone

The tone is investigative, suspenseful, and at times raw with the pain and emotional toll on survivors and their families. The narration combines compassion, horror, and relentless determination, both from law enforcement and the brave civilians who risked everything to save children in peril.

Summary Takeaway

Episode 4, “The Buyer,” examines how greed led to the cult’s unraveling. Desperation for money opened a door for private investigators to document proof of abuse, and for a father to rescue his children. Strategic undercover work combined with survivors’ testimony gave police the leverage needed to act. As timelines merge, an imminent dawn raid is set up to finally bring justice to the Zion Society’s victims. This installment celebrates bravery, persistence, and the unmasking of evil hidden in plain sight.

(Content warning: This episode discusses child endangerment, abuse, and trauma. If you or someone you know needs support, contact RAINN.org or call 800-656-HOPE.)