Dear BOLO Subscribers,

I want to start this post with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has purchased my book, Deceived: An Investigative Memoir of the Zion Society Cult. Your support has made something remarkable possible.

As many of you know, proceeds from the book—and from our upcoming podcast, Gardens of Evil—are being dedicated to the fight against child abuse. That commitment includes supporting Utah’s Children’s Justice Centers and helping fund law enforcement training and education at Weber State University.

Yesterday, Bonnie and I had the incredible honor of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest Children’s Justice Center. And friends, it was a full-circle moment unlike any I’ve experienced.

🎧 Sign up for notifications on the Gardens of Evil podcast here:

https://play.cdnstream1.com/s/bonneville/cult-files/cult-files-gardens-of-ev-184013

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A Legacy Born from Tragedy

This new center stands on decades of dedication, heartbreak, hope, and healing. When the very first Children’s Justice Center in Utah opened in August of 1991, it happened just days before we served search warrants on the Zion Society compound—a 14-home network hiding unspeakable abuse. That day, we removed 32 children and placed them in protective custody. And those children… they were the first to walk through the doors of that new CJC.

The goal then, as now, was to provide a safe, home-like environment where children who have suffered physical, sexual, or emotional abuse could receive medical exams, trauma-informed counseling, and preparation for the criminal justice process.

Thanks to the vision of then-Weber County Attorney Reed M. Richards, that moment launched a movement. Utah now has multiple constitutional amendments and over 100 child advocacy laws—all aimed at ensuring abused children are treated with tenderness, dignity, and the protection they deserve.

📹 Watch the CJC Building Video:

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From Survivors to Speakers

Yesterday’s ribbon-cutting wasn’t just ceremonial—it was deeply personal. Among those in attendance were several survivors of the Zion Society cult—children we met over three decades ago, now adults. Brave. Whole. Healing. Bonnie and I stood beside them as they stepped to the podium and shared how far they’ve come.

One of the most moving moments came when Andrea, one of the survivors, stood before the crowd and said:

“Today, I’m thriving. I’ve built a life filled with creativity, connection, and purpose. I’ve worked hard to heal, and I’ve surrounded myself with people who reflect the kind of love and safety I never knew I deserved. But none of that would’ve been possible without that first turning point. When the only world you know is built on fear and control, someone stepping in can change the entire course of a life. But healing doesn’t happen all at once. Leaving a harmful environment is only the beginning. The slow rebuilding of yourself after trauma is painful, messy, and brave. It takes time. It takes tenderness. And it takes support.”

She’s right. Healing takes time. It takes tenderness. And it takes you.

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How You Can Continue Supporting

To each of you who bought Deceived—thank you. You helped make this center possible. If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, you can do so at ProfilingEvil.com. If you live in the United States, I’ll sign and ship the book to you for free. If you’re outside the U.S., you can purchase it through Amazon.

From the bottom of my heart—and on behalf of the entire Profiling Evil team—thank you for standing with us in this work. To the survivors who stood tall yesterday and every day: we see you. We honor you. And we believe in your continued healing. If you’d like to support our efforts at Profiling Evil, you can do so here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/46LMKQYZY5TXG

Stay safe, Mike King, Profiling Evil