Authorpreneur Dashboard – Stephen Lee Arrington
Club Fed
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Mojave Desert, 1984. During a training event, the Town of Boron volunteers accidentally burnt down their firehouse with the fire engine inside. It falls on inmates from the nearby prison camp to protect the small desert community. First, the convicts have to get a 1941 American LaFrance fire engine operational. It has sat in storage for over 20 years. Being honor inmates, they make a commitment to only steal the parts they need from government vehicles. Donning vintage firefighter turnouts from World War II, they soon realize that the uniforms demand that they become men of purpose. Can a ragtag gang of inmates actually become lifesaving heroes? Join them as they leave the prison camp for the first time on an emergency response. It has all the excitement of a prison escape with the fire engine’s siren wailing and the most amazing female prison guard-riding shotgun.
Book Bubbles from Club Fed
A Book Looking to be a Movie.
It is not often that a writer gets to do something so extraordinary in real life that he can use it as the foundation to write a fictitious adventure/drama comedy. This work is based on the time I served at Boron Federal Prison Camp 33 years ago as a co-defendant in the infamous “Drug Trial of the Century,” the John Z. DeLorean Case. He invented a fabulous car—I got to drive an antique fire truck as an inmate to save lives. Such is, “Club Fed,” where a ragtag group of federal inmates are tasked with getting a debilitated antique wreck of a fire engine operational. It is inside an old weathered firehouse with hidden secret rooms and much more... Enjoy the ride.
Inmates Get a 1948 La France Fire Truck
I served time at Boron Prison Camp 33 years ago. Amazingly, I became chief engineer of a ragtag group of felons, known as Inmate Engine Company 52. Imagine driving an old fire truck out of the prison, red lights flashing, and siren wailing 17 times—it had all the excitement of a prison escape, yet we were about saving lives. We had many incredible adventures including responding to the crash of a B-1A supersonic bomber. My daughter said I should turn it into an adventure, mystery book, a work of fiction with secret rooms in an old desert firehouse and load up the book with really cool characters. So I did. The 1948 LaFrance firetruck in the story, with its V-12 engine was the fastest and most advanced fire engine of its time. It was tested in a wind tunnel to make it more aerodynamic. The one the inmates inherited had been rusting under a tarp of decades. All they had to do was get it running without any funding. So they did what inmates do best, they stole the parts they needed off of government vehicles and from the guard’s personal rides.
In DeLorean's Shadow
Biographies & Memoirs
PARDONED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA on Jan 17, 2017, the author of “In DeLorean’s Shadow.” This is an illustrated book with many images that help tell the true story of the John Z. DeLorean drug trial. It ruled the headlines of newspapers worldwide. The case commanded the attention of the highest levels of the FBI, DEA, CIA, IRS, DOJ, Interpol, Number 10 Downing Street, and the White House. Arrington has the FBI Investigative Reports, the transcripts of the FBI's secret tapes, FBI court exhibits, and the investigative reports from the Law Firm that DeLorean hired. The case involved Pablo Escobar the ruthless leader of the Medellin Drug Cartel, his #1 hit man, Rafael Salazar, “AKA Rafa, and Max Mermelstien who smuggled 56 tons of cocaine into the United States—and sent over $300,000,000 back down to Medellin. The defendants were John Z. DeLorean, one of the most admired men in American business —an eccentric auto builder of revolutionary proportions who squired and married one of Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses and she was the #1 supermodel in the world. The case was an international media blitz. My other co-defendant was Morgan Hetrick, a Texas Maverick who claimed to be the #1 cocaine smuggler on the West Coast, and then there was me; Stephen L. Arrington, Vietnam veteran, USN bomb disposal frogman, pilot, and author of this book. I know the things that the jury never heard, and what the Federal Agents tried to hide and cover up.
Book Bubbles from In DeLorean's Shadow
Beverly Hills Book Awards Finalist 11/21
Beverly Hills International Book Awards, Finalist awarded to Bublish Author Stephen Arrington's book, "In DeLorean's Shadow." Most people don’t realize just how big this case was, and the many extremely powerful individuals who were involved, such as, Prime Minister Margret Thatcher, President Ronald Reagan, Pablo Escobar, the Ochoa Brothers, John Z. DeLorean, and more… Imagine a poker table in a dark room. To play the opening bid is 1.8 million dollars. Some of the people playing have small armies of killers at their backs. You don’t want to get caught cheating at this table, yet everyone is… Enjoy!
In DeLorean's Shadow
Biographies & Memoirs
“How could a marijuana joint lead to co-piloting a plane from Colombia with 650 lbs. of cocaine aboard?” Follow Stephen Arrington’s fall from the ranks of heroes as a bomb disposal frogman who worked with the CIA, the Secret Service and on top-secret military operations. Under threat of a gun, he was lost in a whirlwind of criminal intrigue. Arrington was arrested by a dozen FBI agents along with John DeLorean, in the biggest drug conspiracy of the century. He was facing life in prison—the trial seems insurmountable. Then a commitment of faith led to his becoming chief engineer of an inmate fire company. He drove his fire engine across rugged desert terrain to save the crew of a B-1A supersonic bomber that crashed six miles from Boron Prison Camp. His is a life-changing true story about hope that never surrenders as a childhood dream morphs into an ex-felon’s reality. After prison, Arrington went on a five-year odyssey of adventure as an expedition leader for Captain Jacques Cousteau diving with orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, and great white sharks.
Book Bubbles from In DeLorean's Shadow
Facing Life in Prison
This moment from my book was one of those benchmarks in a person’s life. I was facing 145 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Mine was called the “Drug Trial of the Century,” because of my co-defendant, John Z. DeLorean. The odds were that I would die in prison. Yet, I have this thing about hope, a hope that never surrenders. I understood that I was in for a dark journey. Yet, I couldn’t help believing that if I did what is right, even in prison, that things would work out—and they did. Hope is a big thing with me, it’s why I write, to give people hope even when standing on the edge of the cliff of adversity. Sharing hope is a good thing, every day I am amazed at the new directions it has taken me. Now, another curtain is opening. This one is on The Big Silver Screen, a theatrical release, to debut in all the major cities this fall. The film is about DeLorean and because of my book, “In DeLorean’s Shadow,” I have a significant role in the project, which allows me to share “Hope That Never Surrenders.”
John Z. DeLorean Was Innocent
In my book, "In DeLorean's Shadow, The Drug Trial of the Century by the Sole Surviving Defendant, I prove he was not guilty, as found by a federal jury, of any drug crime. I have the secret FBI files that prove they built a false case against him that was orchestrated by a totally corrupt drug snitch who tried to profit off DeLorean's financial problems. I prove that the evidence had been tampered with and that federal agents lied about the secret tapes and foolishly entered them as a Court Exhibit, which effectively destroyed their case. I was the pilot in the DeLorean trial, but now I try to help youths make good choices. This is a book that changes lives. As evidence of that work, on President Barrack Obama's last day in office he wrote me a personal letter awarding me a full and unconditional pardon. The e version of my book is on sale for one week, it is the last time I will promote this illustrated book with a 50% discount on Amazon. For an autographed copy www.drugsbite.com.
Cindy's Best Valentine Date Ever
Cindy was weathering a freezing winter storm in Northern California when I called. I was in Maui, leading a Cousteau flying team diving with humpback whales. The Royal Lahaina Resort was hosting us in beach bungalows that cost $950 a night. We were paying $37.50. So I asked Cindy if she wanted to join the team. She got the next flight out. I met her at the airport with a sunflower and a solid gold ring—it was a dolphin chasing its tail. I wanted to marry this woman, but it was only our third date, so I told her it was just a friendship ring. I have a fault; I am an incurable romantic kind of guy. So I had Cindy skipper our 32’ cabin cruiser, the Kai Kekoa, which means Ocean Warrior. It was a beautiful vessel and it fit her like a glove. We spent ten wonderful days under a tropical sun diving with the humpback whales. Then Cindy had her own whale adventure when an elusive humpback cow chose to try to hide under the Kai Kekoa. She was being pursued by 14 lusty bull whales that created quite a tempest as they tried to chase her out from under Cindy’s cabin cruiser. On sale today for just $2.99.
I watched the woman I was to marry...walk away.
First I destroyed my naval career as a bomb disposal frogman because of marijuana. Next, I let the woman that I loved walk away—an unrelenting grief came crashing down upon me. I was so alone, lost in a state of misery—and it was about to get a whole lot worse. Unknown to me, criminal elements were planning to spin me off into a world of horror and darkness. If Susan had been at my side, I wouldn’t have been such an easy target. A few months later, I was co-piloting a drug plane out of Colombia with a gun to my head and 650 lbs. of cocaine in the hold. It was in prison that I rediscovered Susan. I relived all our memories, which were a balm for my tortured soul. I used my incarceration to polish the metal of myself in anticipation of the woman waiting in the distant future. I didn’t doubt that I would find her. The love of the woman of my past, and the promise of the woman waiting in the future gave me purpose in prison. It got me though the tough times. One doesn’t normally expect a true crime memoir to be a love story. This one’s on sale for $2.99, but only for a few more days.
Huge Secret Revealed in DeLorean Case Revealed
I am sharing a secret from my book, “In DeLorean’s Shadow.” It is so big that if the press had gotten wind of it, the secret would have ruled international headlines for weeks. Even the FBI agents running the case were clueless to this secret. When you read it you will think this only happens in the movies, but it’s true and provable. I am sharing this today to promote the one week sale of my E-book on Amazon for $2.99. Ten years before DeLorean’s arrest, and before he met his super-model and movie star wife to be, Christina Ferrare—she was close friends with Morgan Hetrick the third defendant in our case. This is but one of the many secrets I reveal that prove why the DeLorean Case truly was, “The Drug Trial of the Century.” To set this up, Morgan Hetrick, the #1 cocaine smuggler on the West Coast, and my boss, is about to turn federal witness. He has decided to help my defense as I am refusing to rat out DeLorean. He and I are walking in the jail yard when he begins to share deep inside information. He begins by revealing another famous woman from the DeLorean Case, the Iron Lady of England, Prime Minister Margret Thatcher and her close friend President Ronald Reagan.
How About a 70% Sale
To convenience you that this is a life changing book, I first have to get you to read it. On Wed 03/15, the e-book version of “In DeLorean’s Shadow,” is going on sale for only $2.99. I work with youths, young adults and families; it is why President Obama gave me a full pardon on his last day in office, 02/17/2017. He also wrote me a personal letter congratulating me on turning my life around and being an example to others. Over a period of nine years, he received 100's of letters on my behalf. In this chapter, I have resigned my position as chief diver and expedition leader for the world famous underwater explorer, Captain Jacques Cousteau and his son Jean-Michel to work with youth. I have since done over 3,000 public school assemblies and spoken to live audiences in excess of 800,000 people. I speak in prisons, youth lockups, conventions, organizations and even for probation officers, as well as at teacher and principal conventions. As such, I have a lot of experience in helping to turn youths and young adult’s lives around. Check my references and read the pardon at www.drugsbite.com. Buyers please leave an honest review of my book as it will help to lead others out of darkness.
Memories of Revelstoke
I have been in prison for three months of a possible life sentence without the possibility of a parole according to DEA Agent Gerald Scotti. It is a stormy December night and I am in my jail cell just trying to cope. Fortunately, I have a lot of good memories of Susan and our time in my custom motorhome, Revelstoke. It gets me though the tougher times. Right now I am learning appreciation. It’s amazing that even in prison there are things one can be grateful for, such as good memories. They give me hope. Hope is a big deal for inmates; however for me it is going to be the foundation of my survival. I would never give up, I have a time to serve, and soon I would make a commitment of faith. It’s amazing where that took me. Thirty-four years later, I am still on that journey of hope. In my hand, I hold a letter that arrived in the mail yesterday. It is from President Obama, “I am granting your application for a full pardon because you have demonstrated your commitment to turn your life around and proved your doubters wrong. So good luck and Godspeed.” My Presidential Pardon will be a powerful tool for sharing, “Hope that never surrenders,” with youth and families.
Life is Good!
I am just two months out of prison, living in a halfway house, and working at the College of Oceaneering. Things are about to going horribly wrong, then I discover that it is actually about to be one of the best days of my life. Revelstoke has been returned to me and the judge commutes my sentence. Today, 02/03/2017, I did a full hour interview on NPR (California, North State National Public Radio). Click on this link to hear it: http://mynspr.org/programs/nancys-bookshelf#stream/0
A Full Presidential Pardon
I am a pardoned felon, what an amazing 5 words. Wondrous things don’t normally happen to convicts. What a journey it has been, becoming chief engineer of an inmate fire crew, an early release, 3 days later I am teaching at the College of Oceaneering, receiving the Red Cross highest award for lifesaving signed by President Reagan, and then 5 years on an odyssey of adventure as a chief diver and expedition leader for the Cousteau Society. I have since done 3,000 public school assemblies, spoke at 100s of churches, colleges, and organizations with a total live audience of 800,000 and for that work I just received a full pardon from President Obama 2 days before he left office. To be so blessed comes with incredible responsibility. I have an obligation to share my message of, “Hope that never surrenders,” and to warn about the dangers of drug abuse and the unfathomable waste of teen suicide—where a child’s hope and a family’s happiness dies. If you make a mistake, it doesn’t mean that you are a mistake. In this book excerpt, just two years out of prison, my childhood dream is about to come true; dolphins, whales and great white sharks lurk in my future. See http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-inmate-shocked-obama-pardon-i-had-hold-back-tears-n708206
Orcas and an Amazon Review
My book got this review on Amazon today, thought I would share it and orcas with you: Stephen Arrington’s life story could easily be thought of as a classic novel. Not about wealth like the Count of Monte Christo. But it is about a lot of money. A little bit of prison life drama like Papillion. A little bit of justice, injustice as well as life and death like Les Miserable. A story of the easy slide into the dark side of life. But overall, a story of redemption and victory, ending with a pardon from President Back Obama. By now you are beginning to not believe a word of what I’m saying. I don’t blame you. But that is how incredible Stephen Arrington’s story is. To prove me wrong you’ll just have to read his book, “In DeLorean’s Shadow.” You will also have to argue with the Federal Prosecutor who prosecuted DeLorean and wrote the book’s introduction. I am not saying this book is great prose or literature. But it is a real story written and laid out in a way to get your attention and make you want to keep turning the pages. This book is also an important read for teens and parents because it’s message of making mistakes, paying for them and rising above life’s challenges.
Escape From Prison
My first night in a high security prison—I escaped. Not out of the prison, but into my memories. Lying on my bunk in “The Hole,” I was facing 145 years to life in prison. In the bunk beneath me was one of the most terrifying men I had ever come across. I needed to do something, anything to escape this dungeon reality. So, I worked at recalling a happier time and tried to insert myself into it. I met Susan in Hawaii, where I was stationed as a Navy bomb disposal frogman. We were at a North Shore surfer’s beach, Pipeline. She altered my world. I didn’t know what love was, until I met Susan. I grew up in a dysfunctional family and she changed how I thought about myself and the world. In prison, Susan became my refuge. I would take mental vacations as I slipped away to happier times. Her love gave me strength during difficult times. Yet, there was tragedy here. Susan had married one of my surfer friends. So now, I was truly alone. But I still owned my Susan memories and my love for her would last a lifetime. She was the balm that healed my tortured sole inside Terminal Island Prison. Her memories got me through some seriously tough situations, thank you, Susan.
Waking Up In a Federal Prison
Waking up for the first time in prison kind of boggles the mind—a dungeon reality descended upon me boots first. The Feds were keen to force my cooperation, so they sent me to “The Hole,” at Terminal Island (T.I.) Prison. My black cellmate is terrifying. Mose is known as the scariest and meanest inmate at T.I. He is a resident in the hole because he doesn’t play well with other inmates. The 6 ½ foot tall, 300 pound plus inmate likes to break things. I am terrified, but know not to show it. However, there is one thing the Feds didn’t plan on. Mose is a lonely man, desperate for a friend, but doesn’t know how to be one. Amazingly, the bear of a man became my first inmate mentor, but first we had to eat our first breakfast together. It is a meal one never forgets. Enjoy your introduction to prison etiquette as I worry about making an inmate faux pas while sitting on a broken toilet to eat my first prison crusine.
Diving in Hawaii With Lava
President Obama gave me a full pardon two days before he left office—amazing. 35 years ago as DeLorean’s co-defendant I thought my life was over. I was facing 145 years to life in prison. God had other plans. Two years after being released from prison, I became chief diver and expedition for the Cousteau Society. I use my adventures to capture student’s attention; this one was scarier than when I jumped into the water to discover a 17’ long great white shark grinning at me. It’s true, I have the video (www.drugsbite.com). In this excerpt we were filming lava flowing underwater when Bob and I got caught in an underwater avalanche—scariest moment of my life. Right up there with when the #1 hit man for the Medellin Drug Cartel had a gun to the back of my head. This is the kind of story I use to teach about the tougher choices in life. I promise, if you read my book it will change your life; it’s about hope that never surrenders. Know someone in trouble and want to help or wish to re-enforce good choices? Read the Amazon reviews and at www.drugsbite.com. Life should be an amazing adventure.
Presidential Pardon For Author
I have been told that my story is a modern day American Fairy Tale come true. On 1/17/2017, I received a full presidential pardon from President Obama. It confirms what my book is all about, "Hope that never surrenders." My whole reason for writing this book is to share the wonder of living a meaningful and purposeful life—even when one is in prison. True hope never surrenders. I have now shared that message to hundreds of thousands of youth at over 3,000 public school assemblies, at colleges and universities, and for organizations and conventions. True happiness is found in helping others and having a willingness to step out in faith. In this excerpt near the end of the book, I am wrestling with a huge decision to leave the Cousteau Society. For over five years, I have been on an odyssey of adventure diving with humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, and great white sharks. It is a lot to give up—a childhood quest fulfilled. Yet, it is exactly because of children and youths that I must now forfeit my position as a chief diver and expedition leader for the Cousteau Society. So I can be a full time purveyor of hope.
Being a celebrity inmate is not a good thing
Becoming a celebrity inmate was a sudden and startling journey—I was on a long dark path with no end in sight. I was probably going to die in prison. Yet, my chances of dying of old age were slim, even though the prosecutor was threatening a sentence of 145 years to life with no parole. There were rumors that the Medellin Cartel had placed a rather large price tag on my head—the more violent the death the bigger the reward. There are a lot of motivated murders in prison. I was a walking dead man. How had this happened to me? I didn’t go looking for crime, it had hunted me down. But, why me? I wasn’t a bad person, or so I thought. It was in prison that I learned the first person a liar must lie to is himself. How else can wrong be okay? And so began the long path home again.
When a childhood dream morphs into an ex-felons re
We all have dreams of who we want to be, particularly for children, youths and young adults. As we grow older reality steps in and most lose track of what was once so precious. As such, I offer, "The Ah Ha Moment." It is that instant in time when one realizes that the dream is attainable. One does not stumble upon, “The Ah Ha Moment.” Rather it is when preparation meets opportunity. Another key is when you help others, because then others want to help you. It is exactly how I achieved my childhood dream of becoming a chief diver and expedition leader for the Cousteau Society. The odds were against me, I was just two years out of prison, still on parole, and I didn’t speak French. Yet, for over five years, I lived my childhood dream—and I still don’t speak French. In this excerpt from “In DeLorean’s Shadow,” I am breath-hold diving with dolphins and humpback whales. I will be swimming underwater for over two minutes. To achieve that goal a professional diver has to train and practice repeatedly. My reward was getting to swim with and photograph a newborn humpback whale. Check out the pictures at www.drugsbite.com.
Using drugs is to dance the criminal waltz
Anyone think marijuana is an innocent drug? After all it’s just a plant, right? It absolutely is an entry level drug; it was the key that turned the lock to my prison cell 34-years ago. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the #1 cause of death for children 10 to young adults 25-years old is accidental drug overdose, followed by auto accidents that often involve drugs, alcohol and texting. The #2 killer of 10 to 25-year olds is suicide, where drugs and depression play the major role. The #3 killer of 15 to 25-year olds is homicide. It’s a war! Children and Families are on the frontlines. Check the facts at www.drugsbite.com. I deserved my time in prison, but know I didn’t go looking to become a smuggler, it found me because of a stupid marijuana habit in the Navy. What I did was under the threat of a gun, yet the fault remains mine and mine alone. For over 30 years, I have been speaking in public schools, prisons, youth-ups, churches, and for youth organizations. In Chapter 5 of “In DeLorean’s Shadow,” I show what it is like to be thrown into prison. Youths and young adults need to know what they are courting when they choose to dance the criminal waltz.
When courage flees...
Staring down the barrel of gun is a moment one doesn't forget. I was surrounded by Colombians with guns and believed I was about to die.. . Later, standing alone on a pier in the dark I thought about the fear that had all but smothered my soul. I was lost in a gathering of Colombian killers. Courage comes more easily when it serves a meaningful purpose, but without a worthy cause, bravery becomes elusive. This is the difference between right and wrong. As a navy bomb disposal frogman, I had served with a team of brothers. Our commitment was, “No man left behind.” We stood firmly together. That is what I lost when I slipped to the wrong side of the law. I write to encourage youths and young adults to make a commitment to what is good in life. This is where happiness is found and it is the forge where dreams are tempered into reality. In prison, I made a commitment to do only good with the rest of my life. As a result, after my release, my childhood dream morphed into this ex-felon’s reality when I became chief diver and expedition leader for Captain Jacques Cousteau and went on an odyssey of adventure diving with orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, and great white sharks.
Marijuana threw me into the Medellin Carter.
Do you know someone with a drug problem or who is heading in the wrong direction? Want help? I have done over 3,000 public school assemblies in 49 states. Youths and young adults listen to me, it is also why I write. "In DeLorean's Shadow," is how a single marijuana joint led to my co-piloting a drug plane from the Colombia with 650 pounds of cocaine on-board. Morgan Hetrick hired me as a pilot because of a marijuana mistake that ended my career as a bomb disposal frogman. In Chapter One, I am about to be hurled into a whirlwind of criminal intrigue, where I meet the #1 man for the Medellin Drug Cartel in the United States and three of his shooters. Prepare for a journey into darkness, where hope never surrenders and in the end a felon's childhood dream morphs into his post prison reality, when I become chief diver and expedition leader for Captain Jacques Cousteau. For over five years I went on an underwater odyssey of adventure diving with whales, dolphins and great white sharks. This book is about hope and changing lives. Anyone who reads my book will be a better person when they finish it. Don't take my word for this read my reviews on Amazon or at www.drugsbite.com .
