On October 28, 2026, The Jeff Crilley Show released an interview with John R. Teakell, a Dallas criminal defense attorney, former federal and state prosecutor, and former SEC trial attorney. Over about 17 minutes, he and host Jeff Crilley talk about his path into criminal law, how federal investigations take shape, and what he tells people who learn they may be under investigation.
Listen to the full episode or watch it on YouTube.
From Prosecutor to Defense Counsel
John left law school wanting to work in law enforcement or prosecution. He came close to joining the FBI, but the hiring process took years. By the time the Bureau called, he had spent several years in a state prosecutor’s office and had set his sights on federal work, so he moved to the U.S. Attorney’s Office instead.
He served there for more than a dozen years as an Assistant United States Attorney. From the late 1980s into the mid-1990s, during a national push on bank fraud prosecutions, he was one of the office’s designated bank fraud prosecutors. He also served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before turning to criminal defense, and he told Crilley he has now spent about four decades in the law.
Today John is known for white-collar defense, though he handles a wide range of federal matters: fraud, large drug cases, passport fraud, computer intrusions, and newer offenses such as flying a drone in restricted airspace near a stadium, a rule that caught some people off guard during the 2026 soccer tournaments in North Texas.
How Federal Investigations Develop
John drew a clear line between state and federal cases. Many state cases begin in response to a specific incident, such as a shooting, a domestic violence report, or a stolen credit card. Federal investigations are usually larger and more deliberate. They tend to involve subpoenas for records, many more witnesses, and large volumes of documents, and they can take months or years to build. Our federal cases page walks through how that process typically unfolds.
Reading the Evidence From the Other Side
Crilley asked what John’s years as a federal prosecutor bring to his defense work. John said the experience helps him understand what agents are thinking, what prosecutors look for, what more the government may need beyond what agents first present, who may be charged, and how prosecutors may view a person’s role in an alleged conspiracy. It also helps him talk with today’s prosecutors, identify which evidence is harmful, and decide what can be presented in response.
He described past matters where context the government had not considered, backed by records, made a difference. In one, which he handled with a fellow attorney, a traveler was charged after a firearm turned up in a hurriedly packed bag. They pointed to screening records from the airport where the trip began: if the screeners there had not seen the gun, it was hard to argue the traveler should have. Every matter turns on its own facts, and outcomes in past cases do not predict the result in any other.
A clip from one of John’s own videos, played during the episode, made a related point about securities and tax investigations. An attorney experienced in those areas understands what prosecutors are likely to examine, especially before charges are filed, and can present facts the investigators may not have.
Why Early Counsel Matters
Near the end of the interview, John spoke to people who believe they can clear things up by telling investigators their side of the story. He said he supports law enforcement and safe communities, but that going in alone to make statements can work against you. You cannot control how your answers are written down. Statements that are true can still be taken out of context, and most people later realize they left something out or would have worded something differently. His advice is to retain counsel who can learn where things stand and present your position with care. If you have been contacted by investigators, our guide to what to do if you are the target of a criminal investigation is a good starting point.
Learn More
You can read more about John’s background or see his other interviews and commentary on our Media page. If you have questions about a federal investigation or charge, you are welcome to request a confidential consultation or call (214) 523-9076.
This post summarizes a media interview for general information. It is not legal advice, and descriptions of past matters do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. See our Disclaimer.