Betrayal - S2: E1 - Hidden

Episode Date: May 18, 2023

We meet Ashley Lytton, a suburban mother of three in Salt Lake City, Utah, who stumbles upon photos in her husband’s computer that she knows are going to change the course of her life. After a harro...wing day of dramatic events, she reports him to the authorities.  If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com  To report a case of child sexual exploitation, call The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline at 1-800-THE-LOST  If you or someone you know is worried about their sexual thoughts and feelings towards children, find help at stopitnow.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini-golden doodle from Crocodoodles. Now I know what you're thinking, talking dogs? Well, hold on to your tails because it gets better than that. I mean, not better, like, more impressive than a talking dog exactly. But if you apply now at Crocodoodles.com, you could adopt me or any other breed we offer with just a few easy steps. Each puppy is raised by a network of families that deliver exceptional doodles anywhere in the United States. Crocodoodles is making families whole. One pup at a time.
Starting point is 00:00:27 He's a man who can be recognized by one sound. And many names are the Jones. Hey, Dan! Give him hell Indiana Jones! Start your own adventure with a free fan dangle movie ticket when you spend $35 on your favorite Applebee's dishes. See Indiana Jones in the Dial of Destiny only in theaters June 30th. I've been looking for this all my life. A deal this good will go down in history. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny only in theaters on June 30th for limited time and participating locations tax and gratuitous excluded Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
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Starting point is 00:01:26 and consultation. That's nevershaveagain.com. Topics featured in this episode may be disturbing to some listeners. Please take care while listening. My husband and I were opening a business. His first job was that very next day. One of the clients had asked if they could Benmo him. So he'd called me that morning, September 29th, 2021. He was like, I need you to set up my business Venmo. And I was like, all right, username and password for whatever email
Starting point is 00:02:04 is connected to your Venmo. So he sent me the login for his iCloud. And as I'm signing in, he frantically calls me back. He was like, oh don't worry about it, we'll do it together when we get home. Like, I'm sorry, I it's gonna be too much, like don't do it. I knew by the tenor of his voice that he was trying to hide something. I thought maybe he bought something they didn't want me to know about. There was nothing in his photos.
Starting point is 00:02:33 And then I scrolled down, and that's when I saw a hidden folder, and I opened it. You know when you open your photos, it's going to show you like a whole bunch of them at once. I slammed my computer shut. What the hell did I just see? I'm like, no, there's no way I saw that. My first reaction was like, that was disgusting. I need a shower. I need to get that off of me.
Starting point is 00:03:06 Unfortunately, you can't scrub that out of your brain. When I was in the shower, I said the most heartfelt prayer I think I've ever said in my life. I was like, God, something's wrong. Whatever you're about to hand to me, I'm ready. I can do this. God, I'm readyi Gunning. This is betrayal season two, episode one. Hidden.
Starting point is 00:03:57 When we set out to make season one, our goal was simple. If we could help make one person feel less alone, then we did our job. And the response as we got from you guys, it was overwhelming. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and feelings. We value them so much. In addition to feedback, we also heard from people wanting to share their story. Some of them were heartbreaking. Some were inspiring. We received hundreds of emails and several of them revealed a betrayal that nobody wants to talk about.
Starting point is 00:04:28 I was surprised to see this issue reappear in email after email. Would I be able to take this subject on? I was nervous, but it was something I could not ignore. Especially since there was this one email, I could not stop thinking about. It was from the woman you just heard that slammed her computer shut. She's based in Utah and in the winter of 2022, I flew out to meet her. It was late when I landed in Salt Lake, and the roads were empty. It was a 20-minute drive to the place we were staying.
Starting point is 00:05:11 It was dark. Looking out into the sky, there was an outline that almost split the sky into two. Two black shapes gently resting against one another. What was that? At first, I didn't know what it was. They were the Wasatch Mountains. It was breathtaking. I had never been to Utah, and the mountains that surrounded me seeing the best of nature, it provided a sense of comfort, almost like a hug. Almost as if the sky was saying, welcome, you're safe here.
Starting point is 00:05:46 The mountains were keeping watch. Despite the sense of safety and the beauty I was guarded, thinking of what lies beneath, I was there to cover a story, a story born in the darkness, the shadows, a story about betrayal, invasion, and really the worst parts of humanity. It's a story of Ashley Linton, a mother of three, who lives in a town called Riverton, 25-minute south of Salt Lake City.
Starting point is 00:06:19 I grew up in West Valley, City, Utah, to suburb of Salt Lake City, and it's known locally as being just a little bit rougher crowds, tougher kids, and growing up. A lot of us kids kind of just round the streets because our parents worked a lot. When I was a child, my mom got sick. She has multiple sclerosis.
Starting point is 00:06:44 My mom wasn't super mobile. Instead of being a kid and being 10, and playing at recess, that wasn't an option. The only option was to go home and check her mom. Make sure she was okay. Eventually, her mom needed more support. My mom at this point was no longer in her home and my dad worked nights.
Starting point is 00:07:03 And so I took care of my little brother and sister, got them breakfast and I'd walk them to school every day and then I'd coat a junior high. Just meeting with Ashley, I got the sense that she was someone who had to grow up quickly. She put her family's needs ahead of her own. She helped raise her two younger siblings, managed to household, there was never a question.
Starting point is 00:07:24 Ashley just did what needed to be done. Ashley's dad, John Trujillo. Ashley's been the caregiver and still a more caregiver than all the kids. As she's been the caregiver from day one. She told me that her only escape from all of that responsibility was a boy she met at school. I met Matt in seventh grade. He was handsome and all the girls liked him and he just happened to notice me too. I wrote in my journal the first day that I found out what his name was. Met the man I'm going to marry today and then I wrote his name.
Starting point is 00:07:58 On your book day that year, this is going to totally age me, but in my yearbook, he said, hey, give me a call sometime, give me his number and then he put, PS, you're pretty fly. And I was like, oh my God, I think I'm fly. I didn't even know what that meant. But I just knew that it meant something like super cool. We all know this kid, wild, unpredictable. I'd see him, you know, getting in trouble all the time and I don't know, I just, I think
Starting point is 00:08:27 I really admired like how brave he was, it sounds brave, but really it was probably reckless and stupid. Matt wasn't exactly faithful to Ashley. Abboys rarely are. It was not an awesome relationship and so I kind of made trades with it more than anything. It was transactional, I guess. I'd get rid of my respect to have a safe place to go outside of my home. There were kids at first but stayed together for more than 10 years.
Starting point is 00:08:57 And during that time, drugs became the third partner in their relationship. He really started struggling with addiction when we were like 15 or 16. That's when he started like painkillers, ecstasy, and I had never even really seen marijuana at that point in my life. The drug addiction continued into adulthood. And so did their relationship. They still felt like kids, but they had to grow up fast. I got pregnant with a VAE when I was 20.
Starting point is 00:09:28 And she was not planned. So that was interesting because I didn't want kids. And I was using contraceptives. And it just still happened. Three years later, a son came along. Ashley stepped up to the plate, determined to take care of her kids. Ashley's sister, Anna.
Starting point is 00:09:49 She tried to be a devoted partner, and he just wasn't that person. He wasn't ready to be a father. And it resulted in a lot of dysfunction and instability that my sister did a really good job trying to show the children from. He would settle down for months on end but never like super consistent but I was like maybe this will be it you know because
Starting point is 00:10:12 I saw so much potential in him and I just thought he was meant for so much more than what he was doing. Then Matt disappeared on a three day bender. I just knew that I was done. So I took his shit and dumped it on his brother's front lawn like a crazy lady. And I left him. I had to because of his addiction. I was like, I need to give these kids a chance. Ashley spent her whole life prioritizing others.
Starting point is 00:10:43 Leaving Matt meant she needed to come first. Leaving a relationship where you're so emotionally invested in your partner so young can be scary, but she did it. She got herself out of an unhealthy relationship and went to work for herself and for her two kids. She took a weight-serving job and hustled. She was finding independence. While on the job, one customer kept coming in over and over.
Starting point is 00:11:08 So one day, I'm at work and I saw him and he smiled at me. The he was Jason Litten and he looked familiar. I recognized him at that point because my sister went to high school with him. And I thought he was G-T-L. I was like, ugh, this idiot. Ashley remembered him being such a meathead, but he was undeterred. He made a point of coming into Ashley's workplace often. He was flirty with me and he'd come in like two or three times a week.
Starting point is 00:11:41 He'd always get a shake, a chocolate shake, but I'd give them an extra large shake, but I'd only charge them for a small. Everyone at work always were like, oh, hey, ask your shake, boy friends here. Ashley was surprised when Jason changed jobs and started working at the same restaurant, and she was assigned to train him. We're sitting there and he kept trying to talk to me
Starting point is 00:12:03 while I was training him, and I was like, what do you want to know about me? I like to work and be a mom What do you like to do and I's kind of being an asshole because I wanted to get past this and Train him and get it done all with Jason was determined to impress her And he's like well, I I can sing and like you can sing and I'm not a mean girl But I was gonna shut this down real quick. So I was like, all right, let's see what you can do. Check him in the back. I has friends with all the cooks and all the waitresses and I was like, hey, everyone can make a room.
Starting point is 00:12:33 This new guy says he can sing. What are these songs? Rascal flat song. God bless the broken road or something. It's a song about broken paths, leading you to your future soulmate. Ashley certainly had a broken road. She could relate.
Starting point is 00:12:51 The lyrics look back on decisions made, things not working out, but inevitably for the better. And it struck a chord, and Jason could really sing it. My jaw was on the floor, and I was like, OK, I'll have lunch with you here after the shift. Ashley started to look at Jason differently. He wasn't a goofy guy, his sister knew in high school anymore. He was serious.
Starting point is 00:13:16 He was also fun, sweet, and talented. He could sing and had a great sense of humor. It was pretty quick that we met him. I thought, wow, she's found a good guy. He was real respectful, very mannerally. He was like, night chiming armor. I was like, here's this normal dude that wants to be with me.
Starting point is 00:13:38 What? I even told Jason when we first dating. I'm like, you're crazy. Like, what are you doing? You are handsome. you are young. I have baggage, I have debt, I have a crazy ex. Like I have all this stuff and he is like, no, I'm gonna stay. I'll take a chance on you.
Starting point is 00:13:57 And I thought a lucky I was. And my family told me how lucky I was. Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini golden noodle from Crocodoodles. And I'm Ben Lake, the cover. how lucky I was. any other breed we offer with just a few easy steps. Whether you find a match immediately or by your time looking for just the right family member, we're worth the wait. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders and could be delivered anywhere in the United States. We're even certified by the Better Business Bureau and have over 500 positive reviews. But if you don't believe me, just ask Bentley. He's British, so he knows what he's talking about.
Starting point is 00:14:42 Cooper is quite right. Are we coming all different breeds and sizes? In personalities? Plus, we have a three-year health guarantee. So, check us out at Crocododols.com and apply for the perfect addition to your family now. I shouldn't lie around via Uda, with terribly popular. Crocododols is making families whole. One pup at a time. Getting the vitamins we need on a daily basis from diet alone is very hard, but where do you start to find a brand you actually trust in your health and wellness? Say hello to Mary Ruth's, founded by Mom, Health, Expert, and Nutritionist Mary Ruth
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Starting point is 00:16:50 have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. My name is Kathy Trehio and I am Ashley's stepmom. I love Jason. You could just see how nice and kind he was to her. He's really funny. He has a really great personality. He can cut up the room pretty quick with laughter and jokes. If we were comparing my old relationship to this relationship, Jason was normal. Jason came from a good family.
Starting point is 00:17:22 He was charming. He was kind. He was a hard worker. You wouldn't meet a person that didn't like Jason. The sweetest part was how much he seemed to love Ashley's children. He was really super good with her kids. Her daughter, Avella, was only two when Ashley met Jason. Her son was still a baby.
Starting point is 00:17:40 It was so natural and they loved him. And my son, he did all of his firsts in front of Jason. His first words, first time crawling, first time walking, first time giggling. I think a veil was probably like five when they got married. The wedding was August 12th, 2011, and they eventually had a child together, a daughter. And it just seemed to make her family complete. We moved to Riverton. I hate to use the word bougie, but it is more bougie than West Valley.
Starting point is 00:18:15 And, you know, 10, 15 years ago before we moved out here, that was a big deal. It was cleaner, it looked safer. The house, a good school district, safety, a promising future. She had achieved her dream. I met Ashley at our house in Riverton. She was finishing work. So, yeah, this is our living room. Your house is adorable. it's so homey.
Starting point is 00:18:46 Thank you. Yeah, it's fun. The kiddies stay away from it now. We had no, no kiddie spread. Just like put the spray bottle right there and they're like, the first thing I noticed about Ashley is how full of life she is and how dedicated she is to her three children.
Starting point is 00:19:00 Oh, and she's also really short and always has heels on. A typical day in our household was insanely busy. Avea played competitive soccer and had practice for two hours. My son played Little League football and then my youngest danced and had to go to dance once or twice a week as well. So I spent the majority of my days being a taxi driver for two hours. I'm a free taxi, that's what I call it. I'm a free taxi. Ashley and Jason have been married for 11 years. The two little ones she had when she first met Jason,
Starting point is 00:19:45 they're teenagers now. And the baby they had together is nine. Aveya, her oldest, has a driver's license and a job. All marriages have ups and downs. They've struggled making ends meet. Mortgage payments were almost missed. But this new business they were launching was going to be a game changer.
Starting point is 00:20:10 Park City is a very well established, very rich area of Utah. I mean, your movie stars hang out up there. It's also a ski resort town, only about 40 miles from Riverton. Jason would have a lot of business opportunity in Park City. He had a lot of work up there. He was working on three and four million all at home. Jason's former employer, Steve Ihausen, is selling Jason and another contractor his business.
Starting point is 00:20:39 He's very personable. The contractors especially really liked him because he was very organized and was able to talk with the customers and kind of show them what needed to be done. It was all starting the next day. Jason just needed to set up a business female account and he asked Ashley for assistance. I knew by the tenor of his voice that he was trying to hide something. There was nothing in his photos, and then I scrolled down, and that's when I saw a hidden folder, and I opened it. and I opened it.
Starting point is 00:21:28 Plays like slow motion in my brain when I think about it. You know, when you first pull up your photos, it gives you, I don't have her many like 30 photos or something, you know, and it gives you like little squares. So you can't really see unless you click on it, but those little squares I could tell weren't women. I think my brain went to what I could recognize, like what made sense. And so I went to what I thought was explicit adult photos. So I saw the adult and then I saw that this adult woman's face was superimposed on a female child's nude body.
Starting point is 00:22:10 Did you ever see something and think this isn't real? It can't be real. It was too disturbing for words. Why would her husband have this? I clicked on one or two and screenshot it real quick and then instantly slam it shut. What was all of this? She thought about Jason, her husband. Yes, there were problems. This was not a fairy tale marriage. He was far from perfect, but he wasn't this kind of person. She wouldn't look at material like this. This was criminal. I actually knew she needed support quickly. Even with what she had just seen, she didn't completely trust herself, so she faced time to her younger sister Anna.
Starting point is 00:23:00 For some reason, in my brain, even though my subconscious knew it, my brain could not comprehend it. And I was like, no, you need to call Anne. Anna had a similar reaction. I remember just feeling like what the fuck am I looking at? Anna tried to see the photos through the phone. At the same time, she was looking at Ashley. I just remember her gasping and putting her hands to her face.
Starting point is 00:23:32 She just kind of lost her shit. She started hyperventilating. Ashley works at home a few days a week. Jason knew she'd be there. And his intuition started kicking in. He just started calling out the hook and texting me and I wouldn't respond. So I was scared because I knew he was coming home. Jason sounded anxious when they spoke and now he was calling and texting with a frenzied
Starting point is 00:23:56 energy. She started going into this really weird dark place where she was like, oh my god, I gotta get out of the house. He's gonna come back here. He's gonna find out that I've seen this. He's going to come kill me. Hermine immediately went to another well-known case in Salt Lake City, where a husband kept secrets from his wife. My first thought was mark hacking and Lori hacking. In 2004, the hacking case made international news and dominated the front pages of Utah newspapers.
Starting point is 00:24:24 Young pregnant woman, Laurie Hacking, discovered that her husband had lied about his education. As they were preparing to move across the country from Mark to attend medical school, Laurie also learned he had never been admitted. And instead of being exposed to Kielder, and they had to look for her body in the landfill. I instantly was terrified, and as like, he's gonna kill me.
Starting point is 00:24:52 Neither Anna nor Ashley, who exactly what to do next. And I was like, oh my gosh, I can't see it really well, but from what I think I can see, you need to go show Kathy. Kathy, she works at the Department of Corrections for the State of Utah, and specifically has to deal with a lot of correspondence from inmates in and out of the prison. Her stepmom, Kathy, would certainly recognize the content in the hidden file. She was at the Utah State Prison.
Starting point is 00:25:23 It was probably like a 20-minute drive from Ashley. I wanted her to go see her to see if the images were as bad as we thought they were. She's been around some bad people. You know, and we trust her. I got a phone call from Ashley's sister Anna and she said, hey, there's something really bad going on. Ashley is headed your way. She needs help. Okay, so I went out front of my building, look out the window and I seen her car full in. She said she'd seen images on Jason's phone,
Starting point is 00:25:59 so I wasn't sure what we were talking about. I just assumed maybe it was having a fair or something. I knew it was something probably not great, but I went out and she got out of the car and she was walking towards me and Ashley's little. She wasn't able to hold herself up really well. And so I just grabbed a hold of her and was hugging her and holding her.
Starting point is 00:26:22 We got back in her car and she showed me a screenshot of it. I said, oh my God, he's in so much frickin' trouble. And we're back and forth crying, both crying so hard, because those girls were too young. I'm not a age expert, but I do work at the prison and sometimes people send inmates pictures that they're not allowed to have and I knew those girls were too young. What happened next might be hard to understand unless you've been in this situation. You know you're sitting on a ticking time bomb.
Starting point is 00:27:07 You have information that will blow up your life as you know it, and you want some control over how and when it will explode. Ashley had someone in mind to help. Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini golden noodle from Crocodoodles. And one bit late, the cover. Now I know what you're thinking. Talking dogs? Well, hold on to your tails because it gets better than that. I mean, not better, like, more impressive than a talking dog exactly.
Starting point is 00:27:32 But if you apply now at Crocodoodles.com, you could adopt me or any other breed we offer with just a few easy steps. Whether you find a match immediately or by your time looking for just the right family member, we're worth the wait. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders right family member, we're worth the wait. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders and could be delivered anywhere in the United States. We're even certified by the Better Business Bureau and have over 500 positive reviews.
Starting point is 00:27:54 But if you don't believe me, just ask Bentley. He's British so he knows what he's talking about. Cooper is quite right. Are we coming all different breeds and sizes in personalities? Plus, we have a three-year health guarantee So check us out at crocodiledoodles.com and apply for the perfect addition to your family now I shouldn't way around while you know with terribly popular crocodile doodles is making families whole one pup at a time Getting the vitamins we need on a daily basis from diet alone is very hard
Starting point is 00:28:24 But where do you start to find a brand you actually trust in your health and wellness? Say hello to Mary Ruth's, founded by Mom, Health, Expert, and Nutritionist Mary Ruth Gingham. Mary Ruth's provides vegan vitamins and supplements for the whole family, plus you can say goodbye to pills and capsules and make taking vitamins easy and fun with their liquid and gummy forms. Visit MaryRuthOrganics.com and use code MRO25 for 25% off your first order. Looking to level up your vacation plans, travel on trend with Apple vacations and find the best deals on vacation packages to new trendy resorts in your favorite vacation destinations.
Starting point is 00:29:01 Apple vacationers can unlock savings up to 60% plus select resorts offer kids stay free deals and an additional resort credit exclusive to bookings made at applevacations.com. Whether you're looking to explore with your family or relax amongst romance, find trending resort deals with exclusive savings at applevacations.com or call your local travel advisor. Jason's older brother is a police officer. We're one of the bigger police departments here in Salt Lake. And I trust him. Anna was concerned that Ashley's brother-in-law
Starting point is 00:29:33 would be a brother before a police officer. I thought it was a terrible idea. It was a huge conflict of interest. They were both convinced that he would do the right thing. I don't want to like bash his character or anything, but that's his brother. You know, she was reluctant. She was like, I don't know. I don't know if I should call him.
Starting point is 00:29:54 And I said, no, he's going to help us. He's going to help you. He's a good man. He knows the right thing. He knows what to do. He'll help you. She thought of their kids, their home and their family. This was going to fundamentally change everything.
Starting point is 00:30:09 I knew something was gonna come of whatever just happened over the last hour and a half of my life. Like I knew that. I actually called her brother-in-law. Everyone in the family trusted him. He was a police officer, so it didn't feel as scary to talk to him. He would know what to do.
Starting point is 00:30:26 I said, I need to show you something. It's an emergency. I just found something, and I need to show you. I don't want to tell you over the phone. They agreed to meet up right away at a local grocery store. I see his car. I pull in next time, and you know, we exchanged pleasantries, and I was physically shaking, I remember feeling my body shaking. I pulled my phone out, and he glances at it, and it was like, oh, I don't want anything to do with that. Get it away for me.
Starting point is 00:31:01 Don't show me again. I'm like, what do I do with this? Like, what do I do? And he's like, first of all, you need to calm down. Cause we don't know what that is. Those girls are probably 18. Like barely 18, but they're probably 18. Before you do anything, let's talk to Jay.
Starting point is 00:31:17 And we're gonna figure this out because this is definitely not what it looks like. Let's wait. The reality was, it was exactly what it looked like. Let's wait. The reality was, it was exactly what it looked like. Pre-pubescent naked girls who had been posed in a sexually provocative manner. I was like, he totally just gas-lipped me. I wanted to get away from him, and so I got in my car. The text from Jason kept coming in. We need to talk.
Starting point is 00:31:56 At least allow me to talk to you, please. Don't go talking with people until you have at least spoken with me. Ash, please come home and let's talk. Please don't give up on me, Ash. I know I'm a better person than this. I will get the help I need and quit ignoring my issues. I want to do right by my family and give you guys a life that you deserve.
Starting point is 00:32:19 What was there to say? How could you possibly explain? I called my sister right when I left and I started crying. And I can't breathe. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe. And then all of a sudden, I could feel, I could feel my left side of my face and my shoulder and my arms, it just went numb. Everything went numb. And I was like, and I can't move my arm,
Starting point is 00:32:50 I can't move my arm. My heart hurts because my heart physically hurt. Like I had a pain in my chest. And it went to the back of my shoulder. I was like, I think I'm having a heart attack. And then it snapped in my brain. I was like, the kids, they can't lose both of us on the same day.
Starting point is 00:33:08 And so I was like, and I'm gonna go to the hospital and she was freaking out. She's like, don't be called 911. But I'm like, no, I'm right down the street from the hospital. Anna had been in this with Ashley almost from the first moments. She was really scared.
Starting point is 00:33:24 I told her, I'm gonna come to to you just go and get checked out. And my husband was home and I went upstairs and I told him she's going to the ER and I remember saying something like I can't believe this is happening. How is this happening? And he just gave me a hug and he said you got to go. How is this happening? And he just gave me a hug and he said, you gotta go. Ashley is strong, resilient. She's a person who helps, not a person who needs help. So I wasn't surprised when I heard that she tried denying her own distress.
Starting point is 00:33:55 I parked my car like a normal person going to a doctor's appointment. Walking in, I thought to myself, what am I doing? There's really sick people here that really need to be seen. And I went up to the desk and this lady was super sweet and just happy. And she's like, what are you being seen for? And I just lost it. I sobbed so hard that there was no sound coming out of me and I just collapsed.
Starting point is 00:34:29 I remember hearing her being like, we need a wheelchair or we need assistance. Oh, somebody came over and kind of like grabbed me from underneath my arms to pick me up and put me in the wheelchair. I had my hands cupped over my eyes because I was so embarrassed. I was like losing my bananas in front of like all these people. One of the nurses was willing me back and she's like, oh honey, it's gonna be okay. You're gonna be just fine. We're gonna take care of you. You're gonna be just fine. Anna at that point had got there. Her heart rate is at 188 when she got there.
Starting point is 00:35:08 My heart rate doesn't even get up to 188 when I'm like doing hardcore exercise. So it was like incredibly high. I think they gave her some medicine to calm down. And we just sat there and cried together. I don't even remember what I told her. I think I said, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I was not having a heart attack.
Starting point is 00:35:29 Apparently that's what a panic attack is. I had no idea that's what a panic attack was. Once the physical stress subsided, Ashley couldn't help but think about the cost. It dawned on me how expensive this was gonna be in that now I knew I was going to lose Jason's income. Like there was no ifs answer, but like whatever it was, I knew that he was no longer going to be a part of it.
Starting point is 00:35:51 And so I was like, no, we're not doing anymore tests. I'm fine. Ashley's brother-in-law, the police officer, was working behind the scenes and sent Ashley a text. He's like, I'm meeting Jason right now and he's going to come to my house, so he can give you some space. I told my brother-in-law, I do not want to speak to him. I don't want to talk to him yet. Then he said, well, let's sleep on it and figure out what to do.
Starting point is 00:36:18 She thought of her brother-in-law as her brother too, but he wasn't. He was Jason's. It was clear in that moment. Blood relations were going to matter starting now, and Anna had enough. I remember losing my cool, I'm like, there's nothing to fucking talk through. And I remember telling her he's not gonna report it ash. He would have reported it by now. Jason sent one more message.
Starting point is 00:36:45 This one was a video. I'm sorry, Ash. I've been really, really working hard on myself. But this is a cloud sign over me. I don't want to be in my family. I just love you. I don't want to be in my family. I just love you. It's so much and I'm sorry. I'm just sorry.
Starting point is 00:37:19 His earlier text said, I will get the help I need and quit ignoring my issues. Now, he said he was working really, really hard on himself. But it didn't matter. Ashley never watched the video message. She didn't want to hear it. The anger started setting in for, you know, all those little girls I saw too. Anna intervened. When one of the nurses came in, he was like, is there something we can do? Do you need to speak to a resource officer? And I just remember cutting him off. And I said, we need to see a police officer. We need to report a crime.
Starting point is 00:37:55 On this season of betrayal, Ashley learns her husband is participating in a crime being perpetrated in every community in our country. But finds out there's so much more. Not only was there child pornography that had been downloaded, but there was also homemade videos. And we'll meet other families who had no idea they were living with a perpetrator. I just started screaming. I remember just dropped him and he's started screaming.
Starting point is 00:38:23 It's a betrayal of everything you value in your own home and community. They broke down the front door at our house and came in on him going through all his hard drives trying to delete stuff. And learning that justice for a felony isn't what you see on TV. His crime of conviction carries a penalty of one to 15 years in Utah State prison. Did he get that? No. On the next episode of Betrayal, Ashley and the police can cock to plan to bring Jason into custody. You know, the right to meet Simon.
Starting point is 00:39:03 She don't need to say anything to me. Anything you say a cannibal will be used against human thought. As a disclaimer, Ashley told her story about her conversation with Jason's older brother to police, and it was included as part of the affidavit of probable cause that led to Jason's arrest. His older brother's conduct as a police officer was investigated by the authorities. And ultimately, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence of any violations of law by him.
Starting point is 00:39:30 If you would like to reach out to the betrayal team, email us at patrialpod at gmail.com. That's patrialpod at gmail.com. To report a case of child sexual exploitation, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tip Line at 1-800-THE LOST. The United Kingdom, go to stopitnow.org.uk. These organizations can help. We're grateful for your support. One way to show support is by subscribing to our show on Apple Podcasts. And don't forget to rate and review betrayal. Five star reviews go a long way.
Starting point is 00:40:11 A big thank you to all of our listeners. A trail is a production of Glass Podcasts, a division of Glass Entertainment Group and partnership with IHAR Podcasts. The show was executive produced by Nancy Glass and Jennifer Fason, hosted and produced by me, Andrea Gunning, Rynne and produced by Carrie Hartman, also produced by Ben Fetterman, Associate Producer, Kristen Melcuri, our I Heart team's Allie Perry and Jessica Crine Check, special thanks to our talent Ashley Litten and production assistant Tessa Shields, audio editing and mixing by Matt Albeckio, Trails theme composed by Oliver Baines,
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