I lived with a serial killer for 6 months before I learned what he'd done - he mentored me and even taught me to shave
Jesse Crosson shared the experience when he was staying at Nottoway Correctional Centre in the US state of Virginia.
He explained he had gotten a job in the wood shop, and when he was moved into a new prison cell, he realised he was already occupied by an 'old little man'.
He explained in a TikTok video: ' I remember the pop the door to the cell for me to go in and there was this old little man sitting in front of the TV drinking his coffee and I was like "This is a roommate I can deal with, he's not young and crazy, he's not going to be loud."
'It worked out great. Sometimes he worked night shift, and I worked day shift, so I got the cell to myself. He was quiet, we had good conversations, we watched Jeopardy. I really liked the guy. He even taught me how to shave because when I first got locked up, I couldn't grow a beard, so I never learned.'
In the video, he goes on to explain, the roommate never received any mail from family or spoke to anyone on the phone, and as he knew he had previously been a decorated officer in Vietnam, he asked his stepmother if he could write him a letter.
He said: 'And then my stepmum comes for a visit and she's like 'You know Jesse, your roommate is a serial killer.'
'I said 'okay...'
'So she tells me this whole story and I got back to have this conversation like "Greg, remember how I said I was going to try to get my stepmum to write to you? Well, she doesn't really feel comfortable" and he says 'yeah, you did your homework' and he laughed and it scared the s**** out of me.'
In the video, he went on to say that the roommate was 'connected to dozens of murders across the country ,but I didn't know that at first'
He added: 'Finding out one day that I was living with a serial killer was uncomfortable and it didn't really mesh with the things I knew about him.
'He had been a decorated officer in Vietnam. He had served three tours and used to recite the names of every soldier he had lost.
'The man was helping me work on my vocabulary... He was really where I started to understand that one is just one thing.'
In 2002, Crosson was originally sentenced to serve 32 years in jail just as he turned 18 after committing two separate and unrelated crimes: being caught in a robbery and a shooting.
After spending 19 years behind bars, the 38-year-old shares his jail tales to his 1.2 million TikTok followers, revealing the fascinating facts of what life is really like in prison - and what it was like to readjust to life outside when he was released.
In a recent clip, the former inmate shared the moment he was released from prison 'felt like a dream.'
He recalled walking outside for the first time and getting into a car felt 'awkward and weird' - and he even had a 'breakdown' in Costco after shopping with his newfound freedom.
'I started to feel two things,' he recalled. 'One was a sense of grief for everything that I lost and beginning to realize all those years had passed, and the other was a sense of joy.'
Crosson, who lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, recalled shifting his mindset from his life as a free man 'being a dream,' to it being 'waking up' from a bad one.
'It was back to reality for the first time,' the ex-convict explained. 'And it was where I belonged.'
The motivational speaker, who has started the Second Chancer Foundation in 2022 to provide direct services for prisoners, admitted he suffered from a breakdown and PTSD, as well as struggling in different environments and relationships.
Crosson has also recalled the moment he found out he was being released from prison - saying it had been a 'surprise' - and he woke up that day thinking he still had 10 years left on his prison sentence.
However, he was called into the counselor's office who told him the good news - he was a free man.
After being given 'ridiculous' release clothes - oversized khaki pants and a large khaki-colored shirt - he left the prison and was picked up by his mom, who he could finally embrace after spending 15 minutes filling out the final paperwork.
In one video, Crosson has also recalled the moment he found out he was being released from prison - saying it had been a 'surprise'
'I picked her up and I started swinging her around,' he reminisced.
In a TikTok posted in June, Crosson explained he was arrested after he and his co-defendants had run out of money, and were trying to get a fix - making the decision to rob the home of a restaurant owner someone had worked for.
Although they justified the crime by convincing themselves the restaurant owners weren't good people.
However, someone ended up being home and it turned into a home invasion, which left Crosson paranoid and afraid they were after him.
Wanting to defend himself, Crosson purchased a handgun from a friend - which turned out to be stolen - and was involved in a fight that ended in a car chase and him firing his gun.
He was caught and sentenced to 32 years - double the recommended sentence.
'When I got arrested I looked absolutely insane,' the ex-criminal recalled, saying he was dressed like a gangster inspired by his friend's uncle, who legitimately was one.
'I had these hiking boots on but I had dress socks, I didn't have any boxers on cause we're so strung out, we can never get organized to do laundry but I was wearing dress clothes, [I] wanted to be just like him,' he said.
'I also had this long overcoat that my stepfather had given me and besides thinking it made me look like a gangster we had a strap on the AK, so I can put it over my shoulder with a regular clip in there, you couldn't even tell it was under the jacket,' he added.
The free man said he was arrested in that outfit and had to wear it again when he was transferred from jail to the receiving center before starting his sentence.
While he was being processed, he was given the options of sending the garments home or leaving them there. He instead opted to throw the clothes away.
'With limited money on the books, there was no way in the world I was gonna pay for the postage [when] I could buy food and hygiene instead,' he explained.
'Maybe that's why I was so hesitant to start wearing dress clothes again, because for about a year-and-a-half or almost two years all I wore was T-shirts and jeans. I was like no, I don't need that fancy stuff,' he added thoughtfully.
In other videos, Crosson revealed more information from his time in prison - including his unusual mentor, who turned out to be a serial killer.
'I was surprised because I said you know I really like this guy,' he recalled in a clip posted to TikTok. 'I get along with him, he teaches me something every day, he helped me a lot in kind of seeing the world in a different way.'
Although Crosson appears to be remorseful about his actions, he isn't remorseful about being arrested.
'I needed to be arrested,' he said in a video explaining why he was put behind bars. 'I was an active threat to other people.'
'In many ways being arrested, being pulled me out of the crazy lifestyle, the tail spins that I was in is what saved my life,' he added sincerely.
Crosson also said with 'great love and support,' he was able to put his life back together in prison.
'I mentored other men, earned a Bachelor's degree, became a journeyman electrician, wrote articles for publication and found a way forward,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Four friends dead in horrific freeway car crash involving drunk driver
Four friends tragically lost their lives in a car accident after a drunk driver slammed into their vehicle on a freeway in Norwalk, California. At around 1am on July 20, the group of 24-year-olds was driving home from a concert when their Nissan got involved in a crash with a California Highway Patrol vehicle and stalled on in the middle of the 605 freeway. That's when a Kia slammed into the back of the Nissan at high speed, causing the latter to burst into flames and trapping the four friends inside, where they all died. According to officials, the Kia's driver was drunk. 'This was entirely preventable due to the fact that one of the drivers was driving under the influence,' said CHP Officer Zachary Salazar. The victims were identified as Julie Harmori, her boyfriend Armando Del Campo, and their two friends, Jordan Partidge and Sam Skocili. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Kathy Stickel, Harmori's aunt, said that Partridge had called her mother after the initial crash with the CHP vehicle to let her know that the group had been in accident, but that they were okay. However, in the middle of the call, the line went dead. This was the moment the Kia slammed into their car. Stickel said that the four friend had formed deep-rooted friendships with one another that stretched back many years. 'She was about the relationships,' Stickel said of her niece, adding that the group had been friends since junior high school. The families of all four victims are turning to each other for support. 'All the parents are checking on each other,' Stickel said. 'They're also checking on people who they've met through this whole tragedy.' Family members created a joint GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses. 'Proceeds will be divided evenly among the four families' parents, as they scramble to memorialize their children,' the fundraiser page read. Heartbreaking The other two victims were identified as the couple's two friends, Sam Skocili left) and Jordan Partidge (right) The Kia driver, Iris Salmeron, 26, of Bellflower, and her passenger, who was unidentified, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Salmeron was arrested and is now facing multiple felony charges, including driving under the influence. CHP Officer Salazar said: 'Our hearts go out to the families who are involved in terms of the victims…our officers are going to investigate this to the best of their ability.'
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Police arrest Chuck E Cheese mascot for credit card fraud as kids look on
A man wearing a Chuck E Cheese mascot was taken away by police officers in cuffs at one of the restaurant chain's locations in Florida. Jermell Jones, a part-time employee at the restaurant, was entertaining when officers from the Tallahassee Police Department arrived and took him into custody still in his mouse costume. He was charged with three felony offenses tied to the theft and fraudulent use of a customer's credit card. The arrest was captured on video and widely shared on social media. TPD said Jones resisted when approached by officers forcing them to place him in cuffs. Critics have slammed the public nature of the arrest, questioning why police didn't wait until the man was out of costume to avoid traumatizing any kids. One person wrote on Facebook: 'Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, y'all couldn't let this man change out of his Chuck E Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids?' 'This wasn't well thought out at all. They should not have arrested the mascot in front of those children. Those children's lives have been changed forever because of this. They probably won't trust characters at Disney or anywhere else they go after this,' another added. 'Those poor kids are going to have after seeing this,' a third joked. According to TPD spokesperson Alicia Hill, officers were called to the Chuck E Cheese after a woman reported her credit card had been stolen during a birthday party that was held there in June. The victim said she later discovered roughly $100 in fraudulent charges from unfamiliar retailers. Using transaction records and surveillance, police were able to trace the activity back to an employee working at the restaurant - someone who was responsible for checking hand stamps at the door. But when officers arrived to make the arrest, they were told by another staffer that the suspect was now dressed in the full Chuck E Cheese mascot. 'When they approached him, he immediately tenses up and resists, and so at this point they make the decision to put him in handcuffs,' Hill said. 'Keeping in mind the safety of not only the customers, but the suspect, as well as the officers themselves.' At least one officer referred to the man by his character's name. 'Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E,' one officer said while grabbing the employee in costume. Hill said that while there's no official TPD policy regarding arrests made in costume or in front of children, the department relies on officer discretion to prioritize public safety and the preservation of evidence. Police say they recovered the stolen credit card in Jones's possession during the arrest. He was booked at Leon County Jail and charged with three felonies. 'When you have a victim outside, it doesn't matter what the dollar amount is,' Hill said. 'She was the victim of a fraud.' Jones has since been released on $1,000 bond. Reached for comment, a Chuck E Cheese employee at the Tallahassee location told reporters: 'It's unfortunate that it happened here,' adding that the arrest 'didn't have anything to do with the company.' In a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat, a representative for CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E Cheese confirmed: 'We are aware of an incident involving a part-time employee arrested at our Tallahassee location on Wednesday, July 23. We have taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee.'
Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Paris Jackson sparks concern as she appears to cry during solo stroll weeks after anniversary of dad Michael's death
Michael Jackson 's daughter Paris Jackson sparked concern on Wednesday while taking a walk in Malibu. The 27-year-old model and musician became visibly emotional and appeared to burst into tears during her solo stroll. The outing comes at a difficult time for Paris, just weeks after the 16th anniversary of her famous father's death and following fan backlash over her scheduled performance that day. Dressed for the sunny weather, Paris wore a brown short-sleeve shirt, grey biking shorts, and a pair of chunky sneakers with grey socks. She also accessorized with a number of bracelets and necklaces. Her platinum blonde tresses were pulled into a messy ponytail. Last month Paris also seemed to be showing the strain when she was spotted on a tense outing with her fiancé Justin Long, 46, in Malibu. Paris' iconic father Michael died on June 25, 2009 at age 50 from acute Propofol intoxication, which caused the singer to go into cardiac arrest. Last month the daughter of Debbie Rowe fired back at her fans via Instagram Stories, after they criticized her for having a performance on the day of his death anniversary. According to an account from People, Paris said to her five million followers, 'So people are mad again. I guess one of the dates I'm supposed to be going out on tour (with Incubus and Manchester Orchestra) happens to be June 25, which is a very negative anniversary for me in my life and my family.' She continued in the video post, 'So, what I guess I have to explain to these people is that when you're not headlining these shows, you don't pick what date you perform.' The blonde music artist also underscored that she is not getting lavish accommodations as an opening act. 'It's just me and my acoustic guitar and my sound guy, who happens to be my fiancé,' she said in reference to her husband-to-be, Justin. 'So we're gonna be in a soccer mom van.' Paris noted that she volunteered to be part of the tour and wouldn't step down over the date. 'So, I'm gonna tell 'em, "Sorry, guys, we can't perform on this date?"' she posited, facetiously, adding, 'F*** you.' The songstress also reposted, via Instagram Stories, what appeared to be a comment or caption from a fan account. It read in part, 'Note to admins: It is unacceptable to judge someone else's pain and grief based on information from the internet. 'Judging Paris' respect for her father from an outside perspective is unfair. June 25 may intensify our pain as fans, but she lives with the loss of her father daily.' Paris added a simple response: 'thx fam.' In March it was announced by Incubus that Jackson and Manchester Orchestra would be hitting the road with them for their Morning View + The Hits tour throughout the US and UK. On June 25 - the 16th anniversary of Michael's death - the tour was in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael had three children including Paris with his second wife Debbie, including Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23. Ahead of the anniversary last month Paris was also seen tearing up before her fiancé Justin tried to comfort her with an embrace. Earlier this month she posed topless in a racy Instagram snap alongside Justin in California. Paris looked relaxed as she enjoyed the sunshine and a dip in the water with the producer. In another snap, she smiled for a selfie with her partner, who she got engaged to in December after two years of dating. She captioned one of the stories 'home sweet California', in reference to growing up in the state on her late father's Neverland ranch. Paris and Justin met in 2022 and their relationship was professional before it was romantic. 'Happy birthday my sweet blue,' she wrote in a birthday tribute announcing their engagement last December. She added, 'Doing life with you these last years has been an indescribable whirlwind, and I couldn't dream of anyone more perfect for me to do it all with. Thank you for letting me be yours. I love you.' According to his LinkedIn Justin attended college in Indiana at Grace College & Seminary, where he graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration. He transitioned to music full-time in 2013 and has worked with artists including Grace Potter, The Wombats and Sleater-Kinney.
