Jake Halpern (Host)

I call up a records keeper and I say, hey, I need a copy of her DD form 214. He said, oh, she just left my house two hours ago. She came here to the house to come get it. That's when I start thinking something's not right here.

I call up a records keeper and I say, hey, I need a copy of her DD form 214. He said, oh, she just left my house two hours ago. She came here to the house to come get it. That's when I start thinking something's not right here.

Hey, it's Jake. Before we get into this episode, I wanted to let you know that you can hear more ad-free episodes from this season of Deep Cover before the release to the public by signing up for Pushkin+. You'll also get bonus episodes, full audiobooks, and binges from your favorite Pushkin hosts and authors.

Hey, it's Jake. Before we get into this episode, I wanted to let you know that you can hear more ad-free episodes from this season of Deep Cover before the release to the public by signing up for Pushkin+. You'll also get bonus episodes, full audiobooks, and binges from your favorite Pushkin hosts and authors.

Find Pushkin Plus on the Deep Cover show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm slash plus. All right, let's get into it.

Find Pushkin Plus on the Deep Cover show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm slash plus. All right, let's get into it.

Long before Sarah ever traveled out to Montana, long before she met Dex or Tom or Natalie, she had a life in Rhode Island. That's where she grew up, where she went to high school, where she had made a home for herself. Rhode Island is tiny. It's the smallest state in the nation. People like to say in Rhode Island, you can't go anywhere without bumping into someone you know.

Long before Sarah ever traveled out to Montana, long before she met Dex or Tom or Natalie, she had a life in Rhode Island. That's where she grew up, where she went to high school, where she had made a home for herself. Rhode Island is tiny. It's the smallest state in the nation. People like to say in Rhode Island, you can't go anywhere without bumping into someone you know.

Now, in such a small place, it seems like it'd be hard for anyone to keep secrets. But that didn't seem to stop Sarah Kavanaugh.

Now, in such a small place, it seems like it'd be hard for anyone to keep secrets. But that didn't seem to stop Sarah Kavanaugh.

Just a few days after this interview aired, Sarah attended a dedication ceremony for the new Purple Heart Trail. I've seen a photo of this event. Sarah wore a Marine Corps uniform, pressed, neat, immaculate, medals gleaming, a sharp white cap framed her face, her eyes kind of hidden under the visor. She stood alongside the governor and made a speech about patriotism and sacrifice.

Just a few days after this interview aired, Sarah attended a dedication ceremony for the new Purple Heart Trail. I've seen a photo of this event. Sarah wore a Marine Corps uniform, pressed, neat, immaculate, medals gleaming, a sharp white cap framed her face, her eyes kind of hidden under the visor. She stood alongside the governor and made a speech about patriotism and sacrifice.

Sarah told the assembled crowd, no one earns a Purple Heart alone. I earned mine amongst 11 other Marines. She added, I have long been one of those veterans, the ones who wish to fly under the radar, who merely did what was asked.

Sarah told the assembled crowd, no one earns a Purple Heart alone. I earned mine amongst 11 other Marines. She added, I have long been one of those veterans, the ones who wish to fly under the radar, who merely did what was asked.

But Sarah's lies survived, thrived in fact, even as she took risks, reckless risks, risks that seemed destined to backfire, especially within the tiny context of Rhode Island. But Sarah, she navigated well in small spaces. And as the walls closed in, they just keep getting smaller. I'm Jake Halpern.

But Sarah's lies survived, thrived in fact, even as she took risks, reckless risks, risks that seemed destined to backfire, especially within the tiny context of Rhode Island. But Sarah, she navigated well in small spaces. And as the walls closed in, they just keep getting smaller. I'm Jake Halpern.

And this is Deep Cover Season 6, The Truth About Sarah. Episode 2, The Poster Child. Sarah's lies didn't just happen overnight, but slowly over the course of many years. She gradually won people over, won their trust, won their admiration. And as far as we can tell, all of this really started back in 2016 with this guy.

And this is Deep Cover Season 6, The Truth About Sarah. Episode 2, The Poster Child. Sarah's lies didn't just happen overnight, but slowly over the course of many years. She gradually won people over, won their trust, won their admiration. And as far as we can tell, all of this really started back in 2016 with this guy.

That's Dave Ainsley. He's an Army vet, served over 20 years, including time in Iraq, where he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. In the Army, Dave always had to keep a close shave, so when he finally got out, he returned home to Rhode Island and...

That's Dave Ainsley. He's an Army vet, served over 20 years, including time in Iraq, where he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. In the Army, Dave always had to keep a close shave, so when he finally got out, he returned home to Rhode Island and...