Episode 6

full
Published on:

1st Jun 2026

Out of Compliance- A Marshals Sex Offender Operation

A routine sex offender compliance operation in rural East Tennessee turns into a tense and potentially deadly standoff. Emmy Award-winning producer and host Chris Godsick rides along with recently retired Deputy U.S. Marshal Derrick Swenson as deputies verify registered offenders are living where they claim to live and following the law. What begins as a standard compliance check escalates when deputies track down fugitive Douglas Robinson — a repeat sex offender wanted for failure to register and under investigation for additional violent crimes. Hidden deep in the Tennessee backwoods, Robinson confronts law enforcement with a gun to his head, forcing deputies into split-second decisions where officer safety, psychology, and survival collide. The episode also features insight from U.S. Marshals Service training leadership on why these encounters are among the most dangerous situations law enforcement can face.

Show Notes

Episode Overview

In this episode of Chasing Evil, host Chris Godsick joins retired Deputy U.S. Marshal Derrick Swenson to discuss the hidden world of sex offender compliance operations in East Tennessee.

What starts as routine address verification quickly evolves into a dangerous fugitive hunt involving:

  • A repeat sex offender
  • A stolen handgun
  • A remote off-grid campsite
  • A high-risk standoff inside a camper
  • Split-second deadly force decisions

The episode also includes expert analysis from Assistant Chief Inspector Derek Unterwagner of the U.S. Marshals Service Training Division, who explains the science behind reaction time, officer safety, and why a suspect holding a gun to their own head can still present an immediate deadly threat to law enforcement.

Topics Covered

  • How sex offender compliance operations work
  • Why offenders frequently fall out of compliance
  • The realities of rural fugitive operations
  • Officer safety and ballistic shield tactics
  • The psychology of armed standoffs
  • The “action vs. reaction” principle in law enforcement
  • Why “suicide by cop” situations are so dangerous
  • The emotional toll critical incidents take on deputies

Key Moments

  • Discovery of hidden weapons during compliance checks
  • Finding a moonshine still during a registry search
  • Tracking Douglas Robinson through multiple counties
  • Deputies locating Robinson in an off-grid camper
  • The tense negotiation after Robinson points a gun at himself
  • The shooting investigation and aftermath

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About the Podcast

Chasing Evil
A compelling true crime podcast featuring never-before-heard moments of real crimes told by the survivors and those who were called in to chase - and ultimately stop - evil. Host and creator, Emmy award-winning film and television producer Christopher Godsick, goes behind the scenes to share the untold stories of criminal cases including the infamous fraudster Bernie Madoff, notorious drug lord El Chapo, the recovery of missing children and much more.

About your host

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Chris Godsick

I have worked in the entertainment community for my whole career, and in all the jobs I’ve had, they all have one thing in common, the search for great stories and engaging characters. I started my career sorting mail at the William Morris Agency in LA, and with a lot of luck and perseverance, I eventually became a motion picture agent. I worked with some of the top talent in Hollywood and also met my future bride. After a few years I left to team up with my client, legendary director John Woo. We did some fun action films like “Broken Arrow” and “Face Off”. I then joined New Line Cinema as a Sr. Vice President of Production where I bought the future hit “Shazam," got yelled at by Sean Connery, and won a bet with Adam Sandler. I left three years later to produce “Take the Lead” starring Antonio Banderas. One day I was introduced to the extremely talented British writer and director Armando Iannucci and a year later we started work on what would become the comedy hit “Veep” for HBO. I was nominated for five Emmys for my work as an Executive Producer and was fortunate enough to win two statues. I was still on top of the world when I returned home after the celebrations and my wife reminded me that it was trash night and the cans needed to be taken out to the curb! I’ve developed projects in several different genres and now I’m diving into something new. I found what I was searching for… great stories and engaging characters…and now I’m hooked!!