I'm a Secret Tri-State Felon

The Secret Room | True Stories

Ben Hamm

Storytelling, Personal Journals, Story, Podcast, Stories, True, Society & Culture

4.4 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 9 September 2025

⏱️ 86 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Vanessa is the manager of a reputable research foundation, a wife and mom of two. She's also a convicted tri-state felon on multiple counts of identity theft and grand larceny. She even spent time in jail. Only thing, her job, friends and much of her family have no idea. What would happen if the truth came out?

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THE SECRET ROOM | UNLOCKED

Vanessa's childhood friend Jessica will join host Susie Lark to share her take on Vanessa's secret through the lens of a close friend. Host: Susie Lark.

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PODCAST TEAM

Producers: Jessica Ruiz, Susie Lark. Story Development: Luna Patel. Music and Theme: Breakmaster Cylinder.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, Ben. My name is Vanessa. I am a manager of a reputable research foundation, a wife and a mom of two.
0:08.2	I am also a previously convicted tri-state felon. I was convicted in the states of Colorado,
0:14.4	New Mexico, and Arizona for multiple felony counts of identity theft and grand larceny.
0:20.1	I spent time in county jail. No one knows
0:22.9	about my past. Today the secret room presents. I'm a secret tri-state felon. The minute the door shuts close, the sirens go on.
0:43.9	Oh my gosh.
0:44.6	So I knew at that moment that that was it.
0:47.1	You were surrounded?
0:48.7	Yes, I was surrounded.
0:49.7	Okay. Everyone, everyone, Everyone, I'm Benham, and I'm happy to have you here for today's interview on the
1:16.1	secret room. Today, what it's like to have a secret criminal background. My guest, Vanessa,
1:21.6	knows the answer all too well. She's a convicted tri-state felon, but only certain family members and
1:27.0	friends know, and her employer definitely does not know.
1:30.5	Vanessa's childhood friend, Jessica, who's in the circle of trust, found her story so compelling that she worked on Vanessa for three years to get her to share her story with us.
1:40.1	Finally, Vanessa relented, which brings us to this moment.
1:43.0	But before we begin, I want to tell you that Jessica, Vanessa's friend, will be on our premium show The Secret Room unlocked with her take on the story you're about to hear in just one week.
1:51.7	More details at the end of the show.
1:53.3	But now, let's get started with Vanessa and her incredible story of being a secret, tri-state felon.
2:00.6	Hi, Vanessa, and welcome to the secret room.
2:03.3	Thank you for having me.
2:04.6	You are quite welcome.
2:05.8	Thank you for coming.
	...

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