Small Town Dicks — “Blood Boiler, Part 2”

Podcast: Small Town Dicks
Episode: Blood Boiler, Part 2
Released: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Yeardley Smith, Dan & Dave (retired detective twins), Paul Holes (cold case investigator)
Guest Detective: Robert

Overview: The Conclusion of a Disturbing Case

This episode concludes the harrowing investigation into “Darren,” a corrections deputy accused of sexual assault and multiple acts of misconduct both on and off duty. With Detective Robert as the primary storyteller, the episode delves into the investigative challenges, multiple unreported victims, bureaucracy, reluctance within the justice system, and ultimately, a frustratingly unsatisfying resolution that leaves both the team and the audience stunned by systemic failures.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Recap & Context

• Darren (the suspect): Certified Corrections Deputy, well-known in his courthouse, has access and relationships with numerous employees and even a judge.
• Victoria (primary victim): Assaulted by Darren during a movie night at her home, who forcibly engaged in sexual acts despite verbal and physical refusals (02:26–02:50).
• Pattern of behavior: Darren’s coercive, aggressive sexual conduct is unearthed as Detective Robert investigates further, uncovering a series of similar stories among court clerks and co-workers.

The Investigation: Escalation and Roadblocks

The Controlled Call Incident

• While detectives conduct a controlled call with Darren at Bob’s house, Darren unexpectedly arrives, forcing Robert and his partner to hide on the floor, underscoring the unpredictability and high-stakes tension of the case (04:35–06:16).
  • Quote: “We’re literally on the ground hiding, so we can’t be seen from the front door…” – Detective Robert (05:03)

Uncovering Patterns of Abuse

• Admissions: On the call, Darren admits to unprotected sex with Victoria, denies force, and redirects blame, showing arrogance and lack of empathy for the victim (06:20–08:02).
  • Quote: “The only thing that Darren apologizes for is betraying Bob.” – Detective Robert (08:43)
  • Quote: “There’s no consideration for Victoria. Zero.” – Yeardley (08:36)
• Investigation at the courthouse reveals reluctance to talk. Court clerks fear career loss and criminal charges for policy violations (09:39–09:56).

Victims in the Courthouse

• Court Clerk #1: Describes ongoing affair, references physical abuse (jaw dislocated from being slapped, hospitalization due to sexual injury), and nonconsensual acts even after saying “no” repeatedly.
  • Provided names of other potential victims, including a judge (09:56–14:45).
  • “She described Darren as being very aggressive and in control.” – Detective Robert (10:55)
• Court Clerk #2: Details affair in jury room, consistent stories among multiple clerks, all outside statutes of limitation for prosecution (15:42–16:56).
• Court Clerk #3: Denies relationship but inadvertently confirms the judge’s involvement (18:37–19:57).
• Judge: Admits relationship with Darren, noticeably evades direct questions about having sex in the courthouse. Professional embarrassment and reputation were primary concerns, not legal consequences (19:58–21:29).
  • Quote: “The judge, of course, is hesitant to speak... she admits to dating Darren… doesn’t want colleagues to know.” – Detective Robert (19:58)
  • Quote: “Fuck around and find out, lady.” – Yeardley (22:03)

Investigative Hurdles

• Administrative Leave: Only after internal affairs are notified is Darren placed on leave, making the window for obtaining candid testimony from colleagues smaller (24:08–24:44).
• Ex-Wives: Three ex-wives all report no sexual abuse, highlighting public vs. private personas of predatory offenders (24:44–27:51).
  • Quote: “His public self is going out, putting on that badge as a credential every day, that symbol of public trust, when really, he’s not someone I would trust to cut my lawn.” – Detective Robert (27:51)

Prosecutorial Challenges and Systemic Disappointment

• Prosecutorial Apathy:
  • The assigned DOJ prosecutor is described as cold to the case; at one point, she compares Darren’s on-the-job sexual exploits to "playing fantasy football" at work, diminishing the gravity of the offenses (28:45–28:47).
    • Quote: “She goes, Robert, how is this any different than someone playing fantasy football on their work computer?” – Detective Robert (28:45)
  • Multiple turnovers—the case passes through three prosecutors during the investigation, further bogging down progress (33:06).
• Delays and Distractions: Grand jury is delayed, and even after hours of testimony, the first prosecutor discontinues the grand jury, citing no clear reason (50:07–50:32).

New Victims, Patterns, and Outrage

• Additional Victims:
  • Adult daughter of a woman Darren dated reports physical child abuse but files were lost/purged (36:57–39:03).
  • Retired deputy reports Darren forcibly kissing and touching her, then forcing oral sex. She never reported due to fear and shame—until media exposure (39:23–42:02).
    • Quote: “She was absolutely stunned... She said she felt he was extremely dangerous, had no business being in law enforcement.” – Detective Robert (41:09, summarized)

The Unsatisfying Legal Outcome

• Indictment & Plea:
  • Eventually, after nearly 14 months, Darren is indicted on lesser sexual abuse charges (second- and third-degree), not the more serious charges Detective Robert recommended (50:32–51:39).
  • Plea Deal: Darren is allowed to plead guilty to “coercion”—a felony, but one that doesn’t require registering as a sex offender. He receives three years probation, with the chance to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor after probation (52:15–56:27).
    • Quote: “He is not required to register as a sex offender. So just a really crappy outcome.” – Detective Robert (56:29)
  • Impact on Career: Darren loses his law enforcement certification, effectively ending his policing career, but the general public’s protection is left wanting (51:39).
• Larger Implications:
  • Systemic failures highlighted: risk-averse prosecutors, hesitation to expose courthouse culture, and the prioritization of expediency over justice.
  • Quote (on risk aversion): “A large quantity of prosecutors are very risk averse when it comes to these things.” – Dan (Retired Detective) (55:44)

Reflections and Frustration

• Victoria’s Experience:
  • The victim comes forward, endures months of investigation and trauma, only to be “completely let down by the system” (58:16).
  • “She musters up the courage to tell you everything, and then she’s completely let down by the system.” – Yeardley (58:16)
  • “I do despair. I despair a lot.” – Yeardley (55:57)
• Detective Robert’s Thoughts:
  • Expresses disappointment but pride in exhaustive investigation.
  • “Despite, like, hard work and despite kind of everything working as it should, sometimes you get really crappy resolutions.” (56:29–56:58)
• What happened to the judge?:
  • She quietly retires years later, with no apparent accountability or consequences for her misconduct (61:12–61:42).
  • Quote: “She left office. She was not asked to leave office.” – Yeardley (61:28)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “[05:03] We’re literally on the ground hiding, so we can’t be seen from the front door or the window.” – Detective Robert
• “[08:36] There’s no consideration for Victoria. Zero.” – Yeardley
• “[10:55] She described Darren as being very aggressive and in control.” – Detective Robert
• “[21:52] And the judge is elected, right? This could be the end also for her. So I’m sure she’s worried about that. But I think she’s also really worried about professional embarrassment and what her colleagues are gonna think.” – Detective Robert
• “[27:51] His public self is going out, putting on that badge as a credential every day, that symbol of public trust, when really, he’s not someone I would trust to cut my lawn.” – Detective Robert
• “[28:45] She goes, Robert, how is this any different than someone playing fantasy football on their work computer?” – Detective Robert
• “[41:09] She said she felt he was extremely dangerous, had no business being in law enforcement, believed he probably had a lot of unreported victims.” – Detective Robert, summarizing a victim statement
• “[51:39] I know that sex abuse, too, being a felony. I know that Darren’s career is going to be over.” – Detective Robert
• “[56:29] He is not required to register as a sex offender. So just a really crappy outcome.” – Detective Robert
• “[58:16] She musters up the courage to tell you everything, and then she’s completely let down by the system.” – Yeardley

Important Segment Timestamps

• 02:26–02:50: Recap of Darren’s original assault on Victoria
• 04:35–06:16: “Hiding on the floor” during the controlled call
• 09:46–14:45: Court clerks speak out, reveal patterns of abuse and internal conflicts
• 19:57–21:04: The judge interview and implications for official misconduct
• 24:44–27:51: Ex-wives and the “public vs. private self” dilemma
• 28:45–28:47: Prosecutor’s dismissive response about workplace sex
• 33:18–36:57: Attempts to reach Darren, more witnesses emerge
• 39:23–42:02: Retired deputy’s survivor story of Darren’s sexual aggression
• 47:06–48:57: The problematic involvement of a DA in witness interviews
• 50:07–50:32: Decision to halt grand jury, process problems
• 51:39–56:27: The plea deal and sentencing details
• 61:25–61:42: The judge’s quiet departure post-case

Themes & Tone

• Tone: Empathetic, frustrated, incredulous, and determined.
• Themes: Institutional betrayal, systemic shortcomings, sexual abuse by those in power, prosecutor risk-aversion, impact on survivors, reluctance in law enforcement culture to pursue their own.

Memorable Moments

• The dark humor when detectives are forced to hide during a suspect’s unexpected house visit (“An episode of I Love Lucy or something” — Yeardley, 05:09).
• Repeated dismay at the justice system’s minimization of sexual misconduct (“That’s literally what she said.” — Detective Robert, 28:45; audience and hosts in shocked disbelief).
• Detective Robert’s pride in thorough police work, despite an outcome that “devastates” everyone (56:29–56:58).
• The realization that the judge involved retires without consequence, capping the sense of institutional failure (61:12–61:42).

Final Reflection

Detective Robert and the Small Town Dicks team leave no stone unturned, exposing uncomfortable truths about abuse within the justice system and its reluctance to hold its own accountable. The resolution—probation, a “coercion” charge, and no sex offender registration for a serial abuser—serves as a cautionary tale about the need for reforms and the resilience of survivors and investigators alike.