Show Notes
What happens when a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the detective who helped bring his abuser to justice sit down together 16 years later? In the premiere episode of Unlikely Allies, hosts Sonny Von Cleveland and Jim Cole welcome Dr. Peter Verdin, author of Gold in the Cracks, and Sergeant Jeremy Hinson of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for an extraordinary conversation about childhood trauma, the pursuit of justice, and the power of human connection. As a child, Peter was sexually abused by John Hamilton, a trusted youth baseball coach who later fled the United States to escape prosecution. Jeremy was among the investigators who helped pursue Hamilton across international borders, ultimately contributing to a case that ended with Hamilton receiving a 55-year prison sentence. Together, Peter and Jeremy revisit the investigation, the emotional toll of confronting the past, and the complicated realities of seeking justice when the damage extends far beyond the courtroom. But this conversation is about more than a criminal investigation. It’s about what happens after justice is served. Through two deeply personal perspectives—one from a survivor and the other from a law enforcement professional—Peter and Jeremy explore resilience, accountability, healing, and the unexpected relationships that can emerge from life’s darkest experiences. Their story reminds us that while we cannot change what happened to us, we can influence what happens next—and that sometimes, the most unlikely connections can become powerful sources of hope. Unlikely Allies, an Our Rescue Podcast, is hosted by internationally recognized speaker, survivor and now advocate Sonny Von Cleveland and internationally recognized child protection expert and retired Supervisory Special Agent Jim Cole.