Criminal The Double
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Jul 18, 2025 Ian Mallory, a detective with the University of Iowa Police Department, and Brittany Mejia, an L.A. Times reporter, dive into the perplexing case of two men claiming to be William Woods. They discuss the absurdity of overlapping identities and the chaos surrounding one man's struggles with homelessness and mental health. The complexities of identity theft lead to wrongful imprisonment and an emotional courtroom encounter. Together, they shed light on the profound impact of these intertwining lives and the challenges of reclaiming one's identity.
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Two Men, One Identity Dispute
- Two men named William Woods claimed the same identity, each accusing the other of identity theft.
- Detective Ian Mallory faced a convoluted case of identity confusion and legal claims from both sides.
Failed Bank Account Takeover
- California Bill tried closing bank accounts but failed security questions, leading to his arrest.
- Wisconsin Bill answered security questions correctly, proving account ownership and prompting police involvement.
Using Old Records to Unravel Identity
- Detective Mallory painstakingly gathered old arrest photos and fingerprint cards nationwide.
- This vintage data helped distinguish between the two men’s police records and identities.