001 - Stop. Resist. Arrest. - Felony Stop

Dr. Evan Carter

Welcome, everyone, to Felony Stop, the podcast where we dive headfirst into the most riveting, head-scratching, and sometimes downright infuriating criminal cases.

Dr. Evan Carter

I’m Dr. Evan Carter, a criminal psychologist with a focus on the intersection between human behavior and, well, the worst decisions people can make. This? This is my playground. And joining me—to keep me from spiraling too far into the academic abyss—is a man who’s seen it all, Frank Malone.

Frank Malone

Yeah, seen it, wrestled it, cuffed it. You’ve got the fancy degrees, Doc. Me? I’ve got two decades of grimy squad cars and bad coffee. Let’s see what kind of trouble we can stir up together.

Dr. Evan Carter

Frank’s being modest, as usual. He’s a retired cop turned podcast co-host, which means his expertise is absolutely indispensable. He’s got the kind of firsthand law enforcement experience you just can’t learn in a classroom. Together, we’re here to dissect criminal cases—not just the ‘what happened,’ but the ‘why.’

Frank Malone

Yeah, and don’t worry. I’m here to make sure Evan doesn’t spend two hours on why someone’s third-grade report card made ’em start stealing car stereos.

Dr. Evan Carter

Oh, very funny, Frank.

Dr. Evan Carter

In each episode, we’ll break down a case in detail. We’re looking at the facts, but also at the motivations, the psychology, and of course, the human stories behind the crimes. We’re talking impulsive decisions, calculated plans, and everything in between.

Frank Malone

And those moments where it all goes sideways. Trust me, there’s always one.

Dr. Evan Carter

Exactly. And our first case takes us to Florida—a state that never disappoints when it comes to bizarre stories. A man arrested on multiple drug charges after a tense standoff with police and what can only be described as, hmm, erratic behavior.

Frank Malone

Erratic? Evan, the guy was shoving stuff down his pants and spitting all over the patrol car. If that ain’t erratic, I don’t know what is.

Dr. Evan Carter

Stick around, folks. We’re unpacking every detail. Let’s get into it.

Dr. Evan Carter

Alright, Frank, as we hinted earlier, Logan Schaefer takes the spotlight. Picture this: the guy's already been skating by with an expired license since 2019. He’s behind the wheel of a black Hyundai Sonata when he notices law enforcement trailing him. And how does he respond? A sharp turn into what looks like a familiar driveway—classic evasion move to dodge the heat.

Frank Malone

Classic move. What we call a “driveway dive.” You know what that is, right? When someone’s hoping their house will act like an invisibility shield?

Dr. Evan Carter

Exactly. And what’s fascinating is how predictable and yet distinct these actions are—especially the refusal to take accountability. We see him, ostensibly calm at first, telling the officer he "didn’t do anything wrong." But then, he flees. That’s a clear panic response. Fight-or-flight kicking in hard.

Frank Malone

Yeah, "flight" for sure—and not very graceful, considering he trips over a truck while running. I mean, come on. If you’re gonna flee, commit to it. But here’s the real kicker: he’s not just trying to evade arrest; he’s manipulating the scene. Moving around, resisting, even claiming he’s calling his dad.

Dr. Evan Carter

Right, there’s definite psychological maneuvering at play. I’d call it diversionary behavior—stall tactics designed to delay arrest and regain some semblance of control in what he knows is a losing situation. And the confrontation escalates when the officers get hands-on. Logan wasn’t surrendering easily, was he?

Frank Malone

Not a chance. He resists, tenses up, even breaks a yellow chain he was wearing in the process—kinda symbolic, don’t you think? Then there’s his performance in the patrol car, kicking the window, spitting all over... It wasn’t just aggressive. It was, uh—

Dr. Evan Carter

Desperate.

Frank Malone

Exactly. Desperate. And let’s not forget this little detail: the guy was searched and then somehow, minutes later, manages to pull hidden meth and cocaine out of, well... let’s just say it wasn’t his pocket.

Dr. Evan Carter

Yeah, that... that raises questions. First, the concealment behavior. Hiding items on one’s person, especially in hard-to-detect areas, is all about risk versus reward. He knows the risk of additional charges for smuggling contraband into jail, but the psychological reward of holding onto some remnant of control during his arrest? That often outweighs rational thinking.

Frank Malone

Reward, huh? I dunno, Doc. Feels more like plain denial to me. I’ve seen this before—you warn someone a dozen times about contraband and they still think they’ll get away with it. Like the walls of the jail magically erase accountability.

Dr. Evan Carter

And ironically, his behavior in the jail Sally Port—a mix of agitation, tossing the baggies, you name it—just solidifies the charges. This wasn’t just resisting arrest. With controlled substances, paraphernalia, and evidence tampering, the severity multiplies.

Frank Malone

Yeah, it’s like he dug his own grave with every move he made that night. This wasn’t just bad luck. This was bad judgment. And bad timing.

Dr. Evan Carter

Bad timing indeed. It’s an escalating series of decisions that unfolded in just a short window, but the psychological underpinnings tell us so much more about his state of mind. Hold that thought, though—

Frank Malone

Alright, we’ve talked about how Logan's choices escalated things, but let’s rewind a bit. It all starts with a traffic stop for an expired license. Pretty routine on the surface, right? But in my experience, when something feels too routine, it’s usually the prelude to something much bigger.

Dr. Evan Carter

Exactly. It’s like a psychological onion—a straightforward exterior, but peel back a layer, and suddenly there’s a lot more going on. At first glance, driving with a license that’s been expired since 2019 honestly screams complacence. But his reaction—trying to evade the stop—that’s the tell.

Frank Malone

Yeah, that move to duck into his driveway was all kinds of suspicious. It’s almost like a knee-jerk reaction, thinking “if I can get home, I’m safe.” Hate to break it to people, that’s not how it works.

Dr. Evan Carter

And what’s interesting is the body language during these moments. Logan was deliberately shifting—going from calm and composed to erratic. Telling the officer he “did nothing wrong” while simultaneously walking away from the vehicle. That avoidance screams discomfort, almost like he was telegraphing guilt.

Frank Malone

Absolutely. And the back-and-forth about calling his dad? Classic stalling tactic. It’s a delay game—try to buy time, maybe throw the officer off their rhythm.

Dr. Evan Carter

Right, and don’t forget the “flight” part of his fight-or-flight response. That attempt to sprint away falls squarely into panic territory. The stumble? Pure adrenaline-override. His brain’s shouting, "run," but his legs weren’t exactly on board.

Frank Malone

Which brings us to escalation. Every officer at some point meets someone who’s determined not to go quietly. Logan wasn’t just resisting; he was resisting with flair. Running around vehicles, tensing up during the takedown, even breaking his own chain in the process.

Dr. Evan Carter

That broken chain is fascinating. Symbolically, it’s like his last grasp at maintaining control. People have these small, almost ritualistic attachments to items—things they feel protect or empower them. Losing it during the struggle might’ve deepened his sense of helplessness and amplified the desperation.

Frank Malone

Desperation’s the right word. You can see it in his behavior afterward, kicking the window, spitting everywhere—he wasn’t just angry. He was spiraling. A full-on meltdown all captured on the patrol car’s camera.

Dr. Evan Carter

And what about the psychology behind that? He’s losing a battle he knows he can’t win, so his actions escalate to regain some form of power—and yet it only worsens his outcome. It’s almost self-destructive.

Frank Malone

Self-destructive’s putting it lightly. Here’s a guy digging himself deeper with every move. And let’s not forget, this wasn’t just about his expired license. From the moment they searched him, the scenario was on a whole other level.

Dr. Evan Carter

Yeah, and it’s fascinating how the smallest trigger—in this case, a routine traffic violation—can snowball into a full-blown discovery of controlled substances, paraphernalia, and tampering with evidence. Logan’s case is a masterclass in escalation, both from a tactical and psychological perspective.

Frank Malone

Masterclass is right. Except he’s teaching all the wrong lessons—what not to do when you’re already under the microscope. I mean, every move he made was a step closer to those extra charges stacking up.

Dr. Evan Carter

And those charges are what really paint the picture, right? Everything from resisting arrest to tampering with evidence to introducing contraband into a detention facility. It’s a cascade of bad decisions stemming from that one initial stop.

Frank Malone

And that’s exactly what made Logan’s case so telling. Right before the cuffs come out, he showed every scenario we always train for—compliance, resistance, and flight—all in the span of minutes. That turning point says a lot about the mind under pressure.

Dr. Evan Carter

Right, it certainly evolved fast. The textbook definition of escalating pressure. He starts passive—kind of arguing his innocence—then shifts to avoidance by walking around as if trying to regain control of the situation. But then, once the officers press in, that’s when his panic response kicks in. And, uh, let’s just say his strategy wasn’t exactly graceful.

Frank Malone

Panic's the right word. He runs, trips over a parked truck, gets pinned, then somehow manages to wiggle free—all while shouting about calling his dad. That’s not just resistance; that’s chaos. Pure adrenaline overload.

Dr. Evan Carter

And what’s striking is how calculated adrenaline-fueled chaos can still seem. Even in that chaotic moment, he’s thinking, "What can I do to stall? To throw them off?" That's when you see what’s sometimes called diversion tactics—loud protests, unpredictable movements, even emotional outbursts. It's all an attempt to regain psychological footing when he knows the situation's out of his control.

Frank Malone

Yeah, but it doesn’t work. Once an officer’s decided it’s time to bring you in, all the stalling in the world doesn’t change a thing. So, the cuffs go on, which should’ve cooled things off, but with him? That’s when things got even messier.

Dr. Evan Carter

Right, resisting during the takedown is one thing—common, even—but what fascinates me is what happened next. The evidence tampering. Let’s break that down. He was searched before being placed in the patrol car, but somehow—and I emphasize somehow—he still managed to conceal narcotics and, later, toss them. That’s more than panic; that’s opportunism under pressure.

Frank Malone

Opportunism, sure. But also arrogance. You warn someone not to bring contraband into jail, and they just... ignore you. Like the laws don’t apply inside a Sally Port. But the thing is, those camera systems miss nothing. Throwing the baggies might’ve felt like a win in the moment, but it just cemented more charges.

Dr. Evan Carter

Exactly. From a psychological standpoint, you could argue it’s a denial of reality. He knows he’s already caught, but clinging to that small act—the toss, the attempt to hide—it gives him a false sense of control. Even if it’s utterly irrational, it’s that last vestige of defiance that drives these actions.

Frank Malone

And let’s not gloss over the drugs themselves. Meth, cocaine, and paraphernalia. This wasn’t a minor possession charge. We’re talking over ten grams of meth alone. That’s enough to make you wonder if there’s more to this than just one guy getting sloppy with his stash.

Dr. Evan Carter

Absolutely. It opens the door to larger conversations—supply chains, potential connections to organized distribution. While Logan’s immediate behavior was reckless, the evidence points to deeper societal issues at play, particularly in areas dealing with high rates of drug-related crime.

Frank Malone

It puts the arrest into context. Yeah, it started with a traffic stop, but by the end, it’s a case study in bad decisions stacking on top of each other. And for the officers? Every step from chasing him down to recovering hidden evidence—it all becomes part of the narrative that turns routine into risky.

Frank Malone

After the chaos of the arrest and even trying to ditch evidence, transporting someone like Logan is like carrying a live grenade. You just don’t know what’s gonna set ’em off next. Kicking, spitting, screaming—it’s like he pulled out every trick in the book to make that ride to the station hell.

Dr. Evan Carter

Absolutely, and his behavior wasn’t just about being difficult. It’s the manifestation of a mental state under extreme stress. When someone’s apprehended, especially under incriminating circumstances, their defensiveness skyrockets. Kicking and spitting? Classic signs of misplaced aggression. It’s less about the officers and more about him venting frustration over his loss of control.

Frank Malone

Makes sense, but that doesn’t make it any easier when you’re the one sitting in the front seat, listening to the guy lose it in your backseat. And trust me, Doc, the spitting? That’s a whole level of disrespect. Ain’t nothing psychological about it—it’s pure hostility.

Dr. Evan Carter

Oh, there’s psychology in everything, Frank. Hostility like that often stems from feeling trapped, powerless. For Logan, spitting was probably the one thing he believed he could control in that moment. A misguided grab for power in a situation where he had none.

Frank Malone

Yeah, well, that “grab for power” didn’t exactly work out for him, did it? Especially once he got to the jail. Tossing those baggies after being warned about contraband? That’s like digging your own grave and complaining about the shovel.

Dr. Evan Carter

Right. His actions sealed his fate. And what really stands out is how long the denial can last. Logan was cornered—literally and figuratively—and yet he clung to the belief he could outmaneuver the system. That false sense of confidence? It’s the core of so many criminal missteps.

Frank Malone

And then, the system caught up. It always does. By the end, he’s facing charges not just for possession, but for resisting, tampering, and introducing contraband into a jail facility. That’s a stacked deck he’s dealing with.

Dr. Evan Carter

It underscores how one bad decision snowballs into an avalanche of consequences. Logan’s case is a cautionary tale about escalation—how a routine traffic stop can spiral into something far worse simply because of how a person responds. Fight-or-flight instincts might kick in, but long-term consequences don’t care about adrenaline.

Frank Malone

Adrenaline’s temporary; a criminal record? That sticks around. And you know, Doc, cases like this really emphasize why teamwork matters in situations like these. Coordinating with multiple units, having clear communication—that’s what keeps things as safe as possible when you’ve got someone intent on making it messy.

Dr. Evan Carter

Agreed. The officers’ ability to respond swiftly, document everything thoroughly, and secure the evidence was crucial here. Every detail matters for the legal proceedings. And let’s not forget, those cameras—body cams, patrol car footage—they’re an invaluable tool in both accountability and evidence collection.

Frank Malone

Right, and they don’t lie. Logan couldn’t spin his way out of this one, no matter how much he tried. By the time his day in court rolled around, all his actions were laid out crystal clear for the judge and jury.

Dr. Evan Carter

And speaking of court, his mandatory appearance was scheduled right after his arrest, adding layers of legal complexity. It’s a reminder that in these cases, thorough documentation isn’t just about filing reports—it’s about building the foundation for justice. It’s fascinating how every interaction becomes part of that process.

Frank Malone

Fascinating? I don’t know if that’s the word I’d use, Doc. But yeah, I’ll give you this: it’s satisfying. Seeing all the pieces come together, knowing you did it by the book. That’s what keeps ya going, even after nights like Logan’s arrest.

Dr. Evan Carter

And it brings the importance of law enforcement work into focus. Cases like Logan Schaefer’s give us a glimpse into the chaos of human decision-making—and the system working to bring order to it. Frank, once again, it’s been a fascinating discussion digging into this case.

Frank Malone

Always a pleasure, Doc. Even if it means reliving the smell of meth and spit-filled squad cars.

Dr. Evan Carter

Well, you bring the gritty reality, I bring the psychological nuance. Together, we make a great team.

Frank Malone

A team, huh? Alright, I’ll take it. But you’re buying the coffee next time.

Dr. Evan Carter

Deal. And that’s all for today, folks. Thanks for joining us on “Felony Stop.” Remember, when it comes to crime, there’s always more to the story. Take care, and we’ll see you next time.