Send us a text

Long before Jeffrey Dahmer became a household name as the Milwaukee Cannibal who murdered 17 young men, he left a trail of destruction that extended beyond his known victims. This episode reveals the harrowing account of Preston, a fellow soldier whose life was forever altered after a sexual assault during their time together in the Army in 1979.

When Preston, an exemplary soldier, was assigned to train the newly arrived Dahmer, he couldn't have anticipated how this routine assignment would derail his promising military career. During a training exercise, their vehicle broke down, leaving them isolated for several days—a period during which Preston was sexually assaulted by Dahmer. Believing he was drugged due to significant memory gaps, Preston carried the shame and trauma of this assault in silence for years.

The ripple effects of trauma permeate every aspect of this story. Preston's once-stellar military career spiraled downward following the assault, leading to his eventual discharge after nine years of service. His marriage collapsed, he lost contact with his children, and he struggled with alcoholism and ongoing physical health issues directly related to the assault. Perhaps most devastating is the guilt Preston carries, wondering if speaking up sooner might have prevented Dahmer's subsequent crimes. His story reminds us that behind sensationalized headlines about serial killers lie numerous survivors whose lives were irreversibly changed not by death, but by surviving encounters that left invisible yet profound scars.

Have you experienced trauma that continues to affect your life? Sharing your story can be a powerful step toward healing. Email unadvertisedinfocrime@gmail.com to connect with us, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss our weekly Friday episodes where we continue to bring light to the stories that too often remain in darkness.

Support the show

Send us a text

Sexual assault in the military remains one of America's most devastating hidden crises, with survivors often suffering in silence for decades. Today's powerful account follows Damien, a young Army recruit whose life was forever altered during a weekend in the barracks when fellow soldiers drugged and sexually assaulted him.

The trauma of that night haunted Damien for over twenty years. Facing a military culture that prizes masculinity and protects higher ranks, he kept his assault secret, knowing that reporting could lead to retaliation rather than justice. When alcohol problems emerged at his next duty station, even the base chaplain dismissed his suffering. Like countless male victims, Damien carried the weight of shame, humiliation, and an expectation that he should have somehow fought back or prevented his assault.

Damien's story exposes the critical need for systemic reform within military institutions. His attackers weren't just shielded from consequences—they were promoted, while he struggled alone with the psychological aftermath. Only after two decades did he finally disclose his assault to Veterans Affairs. This stark reality demands the implementation of independent reporting systems that operate outside the chain of command, ensuring survivors can safely come forward without fear of reprisal. As we confront these uncomfortable truths, we must remember that healing begins with listening to survivors and committing to meaningful change. Share this episode to help break the silence surrounding military sexual assault and support those still suffering in isolation.

Support the show

Send us a text

A bit about me and why I am here.