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Catching Hell: A True Story of Abandonment and Betrayal
Jay Dobyns was hired by ATF on a Monday in 1987. Four days later he was shot, point blank in the back by a criminal suspect. The bullet traveled through his lung and exited his chest. He was 26 years old.
While in the hospital, he rejected offers from attorneys who promised millions of dollars in a lawsuit against his agency.
He rushed back to work and for the next 27 years, enthusiastically accepted every dirty and dangerous assignment possible. Some days he succeeded, on others, he failed, but all he ever wanted to do was to defend and protect people who could not, or wouldn’t, do that for themselves. Every morning when his alarm clock went off, he was excited to investigate violent crime on behalf of the American people.
Death threats mounted from street criminals. At a point in time three international crime syndicates held contracts to murder him, gang rape his wife, torture his teenage daughter and kidnap his adolescent son.
He was again shot in the back. This time not by a suspect, but by the government and executives he worked for; abandoned and marginalized, the threats and dangers ignored.
In 2008, his home was destroyed by an arsonist. Jay’s wife and kids were inside and narrowly escaped. Jay’s bosses attempted to frame him as the arsonist and thus, someone willing to murder his own family by fire.
What came next was corruption and cover-up of proportions that few would ever believe our government was capable of.
This is his true story.
While in the hospital, he rejected offers from attorneys who promised millions of dollars in a lawsuit against his agency.
He rushed back to work and for the next 27 years, enthusiastically accepted every dirty and dangerous assignment possible. Some days he succeeded, on others, he failed, but all he ever wanted to do was to defend and protect people who could not, or wouldn’t, do that for themselves. Every morning when his alarm clock went off, he was excited to investigate violent crime on behalf of the American people.
Death threats mounted from street criminals. At a point in time three international crime syndicates held contracts to murder him, gang rape his wife, torture his teenage daughter and kidnap his adolescent son.
He was again shot in the back. This time not by a suspect, but by the government and executives he worked for; abandoned and marginalized, the threats and dangers ignored.
In 2008, his home was destroyed by an arsonist. Jay’s wife and kids were inside and narrowly escaped. Jay’s bosses attempted to frame him as the arsonist and thus, someone willing to murder his own family by fire.
What came next was corruption and cover-up of proportions that few would ever believe our government was capable of.
This is his true story.
- GenresNonfiction
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2017
41 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Jay Dobyns
9 books35 followersJay Dobyns is a highly decorated federal undercover agent, New York Times best selling author and celebrated public speaker. His unique presentations blend genuine life and death experiences, high-octane street smarts, humility, passion and humor. Jay delivers memorable speaking engagements that will captivate, motivate and inspire any audience.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 10, 2023
I actually liked this book a lot better than the first book. It was deeply sad and disheartening how much corruption and nastiness came at him from his own agency, but not surprising from what we know about how government agencies operate at the highest levels...dark and crooked. It's incredible that his wife and family hadn't told him to get lost years earlier. He is and was incredibly selfish - putting his family, and partners, coworkers at such great risk - to do a job that he loved, mostly because he was an unbelievable adrenaline junkie.
The backstory of his family, his life as a young child, basically his family dynamics and what drove him or shaped him, were interesting. Particularly, in relation to the role it all played in his personality and mentality as an adult and agent.
The book touches some on his depression or demons that he has had to deal with, but just barely. He doesn't really go down that rabbit hole, which is fine, honestly I would rather not hear about it. Same with the whole...gotta find my way back to God bit. Glad he's found something that works for him, but it's something I don't really need to hear about. What is interesting, is ATF's sneaky, backdoor, Never say die, attitude, tactics, and shenanigans in trying to screw over one of their own people. To the point that they removed his undercover credentials - license plates, driver's licenses, tax info, mortgage, etc., enabling all of his real info to be put online in a matter of weeks or months. That is shocking. I've known people who did UC work, and their cover, although always precarious, gives them and their families a modicum of protection, security, and relief. Of all the rotten things ATF did to Dobyns and his family, that is truly the worst. It's simply unconscionable. It's a good read.
The first book was about pretty much nothing other than the operation to screw over the Hell's Angels. A worthy goal and interesting topic to be sure, but it did get pretty monotonous at times. This book skips around a lot in time and with various partners/agencies, and various operations, cities, etc., which made it a lot more interesting to follow. Again though, his selfishness and obsessiveness really shines through and makes very clear what an asshole he is in terms of husband, father, friend, etc.
The backstory of his family, his life as a young child, basically his family dynamics and what drove him or shaped him, were interesting. Particularly, in relation to the role it all played in his personality and mentality as an adult and agent.
The book touches some on his depression or demons that he has had to deal with, but just barely. He doesn't really go down that rabbit hole, which is fine, honestly I would rather not hear about it. Same with the whole...gotta find my way back to God bit. Glad he's found something that works for him, but it's something I don't really need to hear about. What is interesting, is ATF's sneaky, backdoor, Never say die, attitude, tactics, and shenanigans in trying to screw over one of their own people. To the point that they removed his undercover credentials - license plates, driver's licenses, tax info, mortgage, etc., enabling all of his real info to be put online in a matter of weeks or months. That is shocking. I've known people who did UC work, and their cover, although always precarious, gives them and their families a modicum of protection, security, and relief. Of all the rotten things ATF did to Dobyns and his family, that is truly the worst. It's simply unconscionable. It's a good read.
The first book was about pretty much nothing other than the operation to screw over the Hell's Angels. A worthy goal and interesting topic to be sure, but it did get pretty monotonous at times. This book skips around a lot in time and with various partners/agencies, and various operations, cities, etc., which made it a lot more interesting to follow. Again though, his selfishness and obsessiveness really shines through and makes very clear what an asshole he is in terms of husband, father, friend, etc.
May 9, 2019
What an amazing tale of one man' journey to hell and back. After reading No Angel (Jay's first book) I was intrigued by the man. I started following his story and learned a lot about Fast and Furious (which had me extremely infuriated- still does). Any time Jay was interviewed I made sure to check it out. He spoke so poignantly, directly, and didn't sugar coat or smear his point with political correctness. How refreshing! I respected that. When I leaned he was putting out Catching Hell I couldn't wait to read it. It reads as smooth as the first. Jay's story is an amazing tale and I wont drop any spoilers, but it is a must read. It will keep you shaking your head, with a few chuckles here and there, and then leave you in tears. I am honored to call him bother and thrilled to have a personal signed copy, which I will cherish.
August 2, 2017
Good crime fighter memoir - unexpected tale of redemption
I approached this initially, as I was aware of Jay Dobyns since his football days at Arizona, and from occasional media reports throughout his ATF career. I first enjoyed this as a hair-raising memoir of harrowing undercover law enforcement experiences, and the familiar "outsider" mentality such work entails and engenders.... But the honesty and morality of his accounts, and ultimately, his healing from a life of trauma and conflict took it all to another level. Check it out!
I approached this initially, as I was aware of Jay Dobyns since his football days at Arizona, and from occasional media reports throughout his ATF career. I first enjoyed this as a hair-raising memoir of harrowing undercover law enforcement experiences, and the familiar "outsider" mentality such work entails and engenders.... But the honesty and morality of his accounts, and ultimately, his healing from a life of trauma and conflict took it all to another level. Check it out!
May 31, 2021
As a retired customs/DEA special agent this book means everything to me
Jay will never know how many of us he has touched with this book. We will work the street know so much pain. But we don’t often here how others deal with it. Thank you Jay for sharing you’re a pain with us. You bring back why we served, and you brought me closer to God, old or you can understand why. God bless you
Jay will never know how many of us he has touched with this book. We will work the street know so much pain. But we don’t often here how others deal with it. Thank you Jay for sharing you’re a pain with us. You bring back why we served, and you brought me closer to God, old or you can understand why. God bless you
July 9, 2023
Jay Dobyns always keeps it interesting. His writing never looses excitement. I like his directness and unwavering willingness to tell it like it is - like it or not attitude. I was originally thinking 4 stars because it wasn’t as intense as ‘No Angel’, which I gave 5. But after replaying it in my mind, I gave it 5 because he just knows how to keep a story interesting and I like all the insulting nicknames he gives all the politically correct ‘Yes Men’.
August 8, 2017
American Hero
Great story of an individual who put himself in harm's way to protect the innocent people from the dangerous. J-bird is a American Hero in my opinion and will always have my respect and admiration.
Great story of an individual who put himself in harm's way to protect the innocent people from the dangerous. J-bird is a American Hero in my opinion and will always have my respect and admiration.
January 21, 2019
So unbelievable it has to be true. Makes me appreciate all sacrifices that police and military personnel make to keep us safe.
January 28, 2019
Great read
Very intriguing, informative and surprising all the while keeps you engrossed. A shame our government has abandoned yet another good soldier.
Very intriguing, informative and surprising all the while keeps you engrossed. A shame our government has abandoned yet another good soldier.
August 4, 2020
Great book
Very good book. Would recommend. The book was very inspiring and on personal level I can relate to it. I
Very good book. Would recommend. The book was very inspiring and on personal level I can relate to it. I
January 15, 2021
Couldn't put it down!
Honest. Spoke from the heart. Truthful in how the government works at all levels from small municipalities to the federal government.
Honest. Spoke from the heart. Truthful in how the government works at all levels from small municipalities to the federal government.
June 24, 2022
This book was fantastic, I couldn’t put it down! Jay’s life should be a movie, but Hollywood would probably screw it up - read the book, it’s better.
August 16, 2020
We have a habit of making a fuss of far less deserving men for achieving zero in comparison. Amazing how the tide turns
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews