Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Jimmy Keene

James Keene, commonly known as Jimmy Keene, is an American author, businessman, and former FBI operative born in , to a father and a former beauty queen mother. Raised in a working-class family after his parents' divorce, Keene excelled as a high school athlete, captaining the football team at Kankakee Eastridge High School while also lettering in wrestling and track, and earning recognition as a chess champion. He briefly attended college on athletic scholarships before turning to a lucrative but illegal marijuana distribution operation in during the early 1990s. In 1996, Keene was arrested as part of a joint FBI and operation targeting drug trafficking, leading to a for to possess with intent to distribute and a 10-year without parole. After serving approximately 10 months at the minimum-security Milan Federal Correctional Institution in , he was transferred in 1998 to the higher-security Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in , where federal prosecutors offered him a deal: befriend suspected Larry Hall and elicit a to unsolved in exchange for his freedom and an expunged record. Over several months, Keene built a rapport with Hall, who was serving a life for one but suspected in up to 20 others; through strategic conversations, Keene obtained detailed admissions linking Hall to the 1993 abduction and killing of Jessica Roach and other victims, providing crucial evidence that helped secure Hall's continued incarceration. Keene was released in early 1999 after about 17 months in prison, with his sentence commuted and record cleared, allowing him to rebuild his life. Post-release, he pursued legitimate business ventures, including real estate investments and car dealerships, amassing multimillion-dollar success while becoming a motivational speaker. In 2010, Keene wrote the bestselling memoir In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption, by James Keene with Hillel Levin, chronicling his prison experiences. The book inspired the 2022 Apple TV+ limited series Black Bird, in which Keene served as an executive producer; the series, starring Taron Egerton as Keene, earned critical acclaim, including Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Keene has since published additional works, such as The Chicago Phoenix in 2023 and The Wanderer: Bigamy, Deceit, and Murder in 2024, and continues to engage in writing, film production, and public speaking on themes of redemption and justice.

Early life

Family and childhood

James "Jimmy" Keene was born on December 31, 1963, in , to James "Big Jim" Keene, a highly decorated and , and Lynn Keene, a former beauty queen who owned and operated a . As the eldest of four children, Keene enjoyed a seemingly stable and happy childhood in Kankakee, where his father's prominent role in provided early exposure to the world of policing and community protection. This period of relative security ended abruptly when his parents divorced in , an event Keene later described as shattering his idyllic early years and ushering in family instability. Following the divorce, Big Jim remarried and started a second family, leaving Keene, his mother, and siblings to relocate to the south side of , where financial struggles intensified as Lynn supported them through part-time waitressing at her struggling restaurant. The move plunged the family into a crime-ridden environment that contrasted sharply with the structured, law-oriented life Keene had known in Kankakee, fostering a sense of responsibility in him as the oldest child to help sustain the household amid these hardships. In response to these upheavals, Keene began channeling his energies into athletic pursuits during high school as a means of and finding .

Education and athletics

Jimmy Keene attended Kankakee Eastridge High School in , where he distinguished himself as a standout in multiple sports. As a , he served as captain of the during the early 1980s, earning widespread admiration from the local community for his skill and leadership on the field. Keene also excelled in wrestling, becoming team captain, and lettered in , showcasing his versatility and dedication to athletics. He earned recognition as a chess champion. His high school achievements positioned Keene as a local hero in Kankakee, with fans anticipating a professional or major career upon his 1982 graduation; many believed he was destined to become a for a prominent university program. Despite receiving four scholarship offers for both football and wrestling from Division I schools, including interest from the , Keene opted to stay closer to home and enrolled at , a near renowned for its sports programs. At Triton, Keene continued his athletic success, captaining both the and wrestling teams during his time there. His college experience proved brief, however, as he ceased attending classes after his sophomore year in 1984 amid personal challenges stemming from his parents' earlier .

Criminal career

Involvement in drug trade

After attending Triton College, a near , following high school, where he excelled as a star and served as captain of the football and wrestling teams, earning a degree, Jimmy Keene devoted himself full-time to his burgeoning marijuana distribution operation, which he had begun in his teenage years to support his family's financial struggles. By the mid-1980s, Keene had relocated to the area permanently, transforming his small-scale high school dealings into a structured enterprise that generated over a million dollars annually through widespread marijuana . He cultivated a network of distributors, often recruiting former athletic peers for reliability and reach, treating the trade with a business-like discipline focused on volume, customer loyalty, and in the competitive urban market. Keene's family background added an layer of irony to his criminal pursuits, as his father, James "Big Jim" Keene, was a highly decorated in the Chicago suburbs, providing unwitting social cover through connections to circles that Keene occasionally navigated for protection or intelligence without his father's knowledge. This juxtaposition allowed Keene to operate discreetly amid the glamour of the , where he forged ties with local figures to secure supply lines and expand distribution beyond street-level sales into more organized channels. The operation's growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s centered on high-volume marijuana trafficking, evading larger scrutiny by maintaining a low-profile, independent model rather than aligning fully with dominant syndicates. The allure of immense wealth propelled Keene deeper into the trade, funding a lavish lifestyle that included luxury vehicles, upscale residences, and high-society indulgences, which contrasted sharply with his modest upbringing and reinforced his commitment to scaling the business for an eventual exit. By the early 1990s, his role had escalated to coordinating multi-kilogram shipments and overseeing a of associates, positioning him as a key independent player in Chicago's marijuana underworld until federal investigations targeted such networks.

Arrest and conviction

In October 1996, James "Jimmy" Keene was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in Chicago as part of Operation Snowplow, a large-scale federal sting targeting drug trafficking networks that resulted in over 170 arrests across the region. The operation culminated in a raid on Keene's property under a search warrant following an extensive investigation that relied on informant tips and hearsay evidence linking him to marijuana distribution activities. Keene was charged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of with federal to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, a charge stemming from his prior involvement in the Chicago-area drug trade. Despite having no prior , Keene's legal team engaged in negotiations advised by Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Beaumont, who recommended a guilty to potentially secure a 4- to 6-year sentence; however, the imposed a harsher penalty of 120 months (10 years) without possibility of after considering the scale of the operation. Following sentencing, Keene was initially held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in before transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) , a low-security federal facility in . At , he adjusted to life by adhering to a strict workout regimen to maintain his physical condition from his athletic background, while his legal team pursued appeals citing clerical errors in the arrest documentation that could warrant a reduction. The severely strained Keene's family ties, particularly with his father, and dismantled his reputation as a charismatic entrepreneur who had built legitimate , trucking, and businesses with his father alongside his illicit activities.

Undercover operation for the FBI

Recruitment and transfer

In 1998, while serving his 10-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Milan, a minimum-security facility, in , Jimmy Keene was approached by U.S. Attorney Larry Beaumont and FBI agents with an offer to reduce his sentence in exchange for volunteering to transfer to a higher-security facility. This proposal leveraged Keene's physical abilities, advanced martial arts background with black belts in multiple styles from training since childhood, street smarts, and familiarity with law enforcement from his father's career as a police officer, presenting it as an opportunity for early release if he successfully completed the assignment. Under the agreement, Keene would be transferred to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP) in —an administrative-security medical facility for federal prisoners known for housing inmates requiring or psychiatric care, including violent offenders—without initially disclosing the specific target of the operation. The deal emphasized confidentiality, with Keene operating under a fabricated identity as a convicted arms dealer facing a longer term, to maintain the undercover nature of the mission. Prior to the transfer, Keene underwent psychological preparation, including briefings on the high risks involved, such as potential violence from inmates at the dangerous facility, where he would have limited protection and could face lethal threats if his role was discovered. He received training in psychological tactics, interrogation methods, and understanding serial killer motivations. His advanced martial arts expertise enhanced his survivability. The transfer occurred in late 1998, escorted by federal marshals, followed by an initial orientation at MCFP that reinforced the operation's secrecy, with Keene provided only a discreet emergency contact line to authorities.

Befriending Larry Hall

Upon arriving at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP) in , in 1998, Jimmy Keene was transferred to the facility's psychiatric unit, where he quickly identified among the inmates. Hall, a quiet and unassuming figure, exhibited odd behaviors that stood out, including a fixation on television programs like . Motivated by his undercover agreement with federal authorities, Keene decided to approach Hall casually, initiating contact through shared prison routines and light conversations about daily life to avoid raising suspicion. Over the following weeks, Keene methodically built rapport with Hall by engaging in regular, informal discussions and participating in communal activities, such as watching television together in the common area. This approach allowed Keene to navigate Hall's unpredictable demeanor, which often shifted abruptly from subdued chatter to intense, disjointed monologues. Hall frequently referenced his identical twin brother, , in these exchanges, sometimes attributing actions or alibis to him in a way that blurred the lines between the two. Keene shared personal anecdotes from his own life to foster reciprocity, gradually earning Hall's confidence without pressing for sensitive details prematurely. In their initial conversations, Hall began revealing glimpses of his inner world, alluding to disturbing fantasies involving young women and making vague references to past events that hinted at his suspected crimes. These disclosures were fleeting and nonspecific, often framed as dreams or hypothetical scenarios, stopping short of explicit admissions. Keene observed that Hall's tendency to retract or reframe such statements reflected his erratic mindset, requiring patient persistence to maintain the budding trust. Larry Hall had been convicted in 1995 of the 1993 kidnapping of 15-year-old Jessica Roach from her home in , , for the purpose of sexual gratification, resulting in a life sentence without . Authorities suspected him of up to 20 unsolved murders of young women across the Midwest during the late 1980s and early 1990s, facilitated by his travels as a reenactor who frequented historical sites and small towns.

Eliciting confessions

Over the course of five months in 1998 and 1999, Jimmy Keene employed , feigned empathy, and targeted probing questions to extract confessions from while incarcerated together at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP) in . Keene built rapport through daily interactions, such as joining Hall in casual conversations during meals and shared activities like watching America's Most Wanted, which allowed him to subtly explore Hall's psyche by referencing Hall's hometown newspaper and interests in Civil War reenactments. To solidify trust, Keene positioned himself as a protector by intervening in a prison brawl in the TV room, defending Hall and earning "hero status" that encouraged Hall to open up about his crimes. Hall's admissions included graphic details of several murders, confirming his involvement in cases beyond his conviction. He confessed to the 1993 abduction, sexual violation, and strangling of 15-year-old Jessica Roach, describing how he encountered her walking her bike along a rural road in , Illinois, before forcing her into his van. Regarding the disappearance of 19-year-old Tricia Reitler from in 1993, Hall admitted to killing her after she violently resisted his advances, stating he buried her body "way out in the woods" near an river. Hall also hinted at additional victims, among approximately 20 other young women, providing lurid accounts of abductions from public areas, assaults in his van, and hasty burials in remote fields or wooded sites across the Midwest. Keene faced significant challenges in sustaining the operation, including Hall's frequent recantations, where he dismissed his admissions as mere "dreams" or fabrications when questioned by authorities outside the prison. Hall's mental instability manifested in emotional volatility, particularly after Keene confronted him about a suspicious map in the prison woodshop, leading to Hall's breakdown and Keene's placement in solitary confinement, which temporarily severed access. The risks of exposure were heightened in the administrative-security environment, where Keene memorized every detail without formal recordings—relying instead on a single voicemail to FBI handlers describing key elements like the map marked with red dots indicating burial sites in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—while navigating the constant threat of violence from other inmates. The effort culminated in Hall's third confession to the Reitler murder, where he reiterated the burial location near the Indiana river, providing investigators with leads that prompted renewed searches, though the map and related wood-carved falcons symbolizing grave markers vanished before retrieval. These disclosures, drawn from the foundation of trust established through their befriending, offered critical evidentiary insights into Hall's suspected serial activities, influencing subsequent reviews.

Release and aftermath

Sentence commutation

In early 1999, after approximately six months of undercover work at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in , Jimmy Keene determined that he had gathered sufficient evidence from Larry Hall's confessions, including detailed accounts of multiple murders and a hand-drawn map of burial sites. Keene confronted Hall about inconsistencies in his stories, leading to his placement in as a precautionary measure by prison officials. He contacted FBI Special Agent Janet Butkus via a to debrief, providing critical details on Hall's statements, which prompted his extraction after a two-week delay caused by the chief psychiatrist's vacation. Following the debriefing, Keene met with FBI agents and federal prosecutors, including U.S. Attorney Lawrence Beaumont, to fully recount Hall's admissions, which corroborated earlier investigations into unsolved cases linked to Hall. In fulfillment of the agreement, Keene's 10-year sentence for drug conspiracy was commuted in , resulting in his immediate release after serving about 17 months total, the of his , and the waiver of a $2.5 million fine. This legal resolution validated the operation's success, as Hall's confessions contributed to the reopening of several cold cases, such as the 1993 disappearance of Jessica Roach, and helped deny Hall's appeal, ensuring his continued . However, Hall later recanted all his confessions, claiming they were fabricated from dreams or fantasies, a pattern consistent with his history of retracting prior admissions to over 15 murders. His release marked the end of the operation, allowing him to resume normal activities while the FBI continued analyzing the evidence for ongoing investigations.

Post-prison life

Following his commutation and release from prison in 1999, Jimmy Keene returned to the area, where he spent time with his ailing father until the latter's death in 2004. He later established a residence in in connection with media and business opportunities, and now splits his time between the two locations. This arrangement has enabled him to rebuild his life, emphasizing privacy and stability after his incarceration and undercover operation. Keene transitioned into a career focused on motivational speaking, where he shares insights on , the flaws in the system, and themes of personal redemption drawn from his experiences. He has also pursued business ventures, including and luxury car dealerships, leveraging his entrepreneurial to establish post-release. In his , Keene prioritized , spending the five years immediately after his release with his father, James "Big Jim" Keene, who had suffered a during Jimmy's ; this period strengthened their bond before Big Jim's death in 2004. Keene maintains a low public profile regarding relationships, with no confirmed details on partnerships or children. Any lingering health effects from prison, such as from or violent encounters, have not been publicly detailed. As of 2025, Keene continues advocacy efforts through speaking engagements on criminal justice issues and has expanded his public presence with the 2024 release of his novel The Wanderer: Bigamy, Deceit and Murder, incorporating elements of redemption akin to his memoir The Chicago Phoenix. He made a cameo appearance in the 2022 Apple TV+ series Black Bird, based on his life, and has been involved in related media production. In September 2025, Keene filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging its AI system generated false claims accusing him of additional crimes, highlighting ongoing challenges in his post-prison narrative.

Media portrayals

Books

Jimmy Keene co-authored his first book, In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a , and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption, with investigative journalist Hillel Levin, published by in September 2010. The provides a firsthand account of Keene's by the FBI for an undercover in a maximum-security , where he befriended suspected to elicit confessions about unsolved murders in exchange for a reduced sentence. The book details the psychological challenges Keene faced in gaining Hall's trust, the ethical dilemmas of the bargain, and the high-stakes environment of life, drawing from Keene's personal journals and interviews. It received positive critical reception for its gripping narrative and authentic portrayal of redemption amid peril, with describing it as a "low-key but fascinating view of life behind bars" that "deserves a wide audience." Keene's second book, Black Bird: One Man's Freedom Hides in Another Man's Darkness, was published by St. Martin's Press in July 2022. This memoir retells his prison experiences and undercover operation, serving as a tie-in to the Apple TV+ series adaptation, and emphasizes the themes of freedom, darkness, and redemption through his interactions with Larry Hall. In April 2023, Keene released his third book, The Chicago Phoenix: Jimmy Keene's Untold Story, published independently through Silly Goat Media. This work expands on his early life in Chicago, chronicling his entry into the drug trade at age thirteen, the violent challenges of building a marijuana empire, and the broader context of his arrest and conviction, offering deeper insights into the socioeconomic factors that shaped his path. Unlike his first book, it emphasizes Keene's pre-prison experiences and post-release resilience, portraying his transformation from criminal to author and producer as a phoenix-like rebirth. The memoir has been praised for its raw honesty and thrilling recounting of true events, earning high reader ratings for its vivid depiction of survival in Chicago's underworld. In October 2024, Keene published his fourth book, The Wanderer: Bigamy, Deceit, and Murder, through Silly Goat Media. This suspense novel explores themes of violence, manipulation, and murder in Nashville, intertwining stories of five women ensnared by a deceitful figure, drawing on Keene's true-crime storytelling style while venturing into fictional narrative. Keene's writing career, inspired by his post-prison experiences, continues to explore themes of crime, redemption, and justice through personal narrative and suspenseful fiction.

Television series

The Apple TV+ miniseries (2022) is a true-crime drama adaptation of Jimmy Keene's undercover experiences, developed and written by . Starring as Keene, as suspected , and as Keene's father, the six-episode series premiered on July 8, 2022, and explores the high-stakes prison operation through a lens of psychological tension and moral ambiguity. The plot dramatizes Keene's transfer to a maximum-security facility, where he must befriend Hall to extract a regarding unsolved murders, while navigating threats from fellow inmates and the emotional toll on his family. Episodes delve into the interrogation dynamics, Hall's cryptic revelations, and Keene's internal conflicts, blending procedural elements with personal drama across its runtime. Production drew primarily from Keene's 2010 memoir In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption, by Jimmy Keene with Hillel Levin, with Keene serving as an executive producer and on-set consultant, and appearing in a cameo as a corrections officer. Filming occurred mainly in , including New Orleans and the parishes of St. Bernard and Plaquemines for prison scenes, supplemented by locations in , , and to capture Midwestern and institutional settings. The first three episodes were directed by , emphasizing a gritty, claustrophobic visual style. Black Bird garnered widespread critical acclaim for its performances, particularly Hauser's portrayal of Hall, earning a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 81 reviews. At the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2023, the series received nine nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, with Hauser winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie; Liotta also earned a posthumous nomination for Supporting Actor for his role as Big Jim Keene. It topped streaming charts in 2022, achieving demand 18.7 times the average TV series globally, and continued to influence true-crime discussions into 2025.

References

  1. [1]
    About - Jimmy Keene
    Jimmy Keene spent his early life in Kankakee, where he was a chess champion and a star athlete who lettered in track, football, and wrestling and served as ...
  2. [2]
    Black Bird vs. the True Story of James Keene and Larry Hall
    Jul 7, 2022 · The Black Bird true story confirms that James "Jimmy" Keene was a star football player and captain of Illinois' Kankakee Eastridge High School football team in ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  3. [3]
    Jimmy Keene, Larry Hall, And The True Story Behind 'Black Bird'
    Apr 22, 2024 · As seen in "Black Bird," Jimmy Keene was a star athlete and a marijuana distributor in Chicago before he was recruited to help the FBI take ...
  4. [4]
    How James 'Jimmy' Keene inmate brought down serial killer Larry Hall
    Jan 31, 2023 · ... family forced to rely on his mother's part-time waitressing salary following his parents' divorce when he was 10 years old. His father went ...Missing: Kankakee Illinois
  5. [5]
    Where is Jimmy Keene's Mom Lynn Now? Is She Still Alive?
    Jul 21, 2022 · Jimmy talks about the troubled marriage of his parents, James “Big Jim” Keene and Lynne Keene, and how their separation further affected him.Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  6. [6]
    James Keene - Illinois Authors
    Currently, he splits his time between Los Angeles and Chicago. Biography: James Keene is a well-known American author and businessman raised in Kankakee, ...
  7. [7]
    In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous ...
    In stockInstead, he chose to attend Triton, a community college in a suburb of Chicago. The football program was locally renowned but was nothing on the national radar.<|control11|><|separator|>
  8. [8]
    'Black Bird': Who Is James Keene and Where Is He Now? - Newsweek
    Jul 8, 2022 · Keene became a star athlete in high school, playing football in Kankakee, Illinois. But instead of focusing on his promising future in the ...Missing: childhood parents
  9. [9]
    Was Jimmy Keene a Real Football Player? Was He a Real Drug ...
    Jul 8, 2022 · Yes, Jimmy Keene was a real football player. Jimmy played football while he was studying at Kankakee Eastridge High School, Illinois, and was even referred to ...Missing: wrestler | Show results with:wrestler
  10. [10]
    Black Bird: Who is the real Jimmy Keene? - DDW Magazine
    Aug 5, 2022 · In 1996. After an extensive investigation, led by both the DEA and FBI, Jimmy Keene was arrested with his property searched under a warrant.Missing: post trade
  11. [11]
    Serial Killer Larry Hall and the Inside Man Jimmy Keene
    Nov 22, 2022 · That was made worse when Robert lost his job at the graveyard and the family had to move from the provided home to a one bedroom shack. ... He ...Missing: divorce | Show results with:divorce
  12. [12]
    Black Bird - what happened to the real Jimmy Keene? - Digital Spy
    Jul 8, 2022 · James "Jimmy" Keene spent the early years of his life living the typical suburban dream in Southern Chicago, Illinois. He had a loving father, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  13. [13]
    Where Were Jimmy Keene and Larry Hall Imprisoned?
    Jul 8, 2022 · He was first taken to MCC, Chicago, and then to the federal prison in Milan, Michigan. Then he was transferred to Ford County Jail to await his ...
  14. [14]
    Is Edmund Beaumont Based on a Real Prosecutor? Where is He ...
    Jul 8, 2022 · After Jimmy was sentenced to ten years in prison in Milan, Michigan, Beaumont met him to find out whether he could be used to connect Larry Hall ...
  15. [15]
    Transcript of The Inside Man ...
    A jury unanimously agreed it took just three hours to convict Larry Hall, but prosecutor Beaumont believed this was just the tip of the iceberg. He felt certain ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Jimmy Keene and Larry Hall: A Prison Deal with the Devil
    Apr 7, 2025 · Born in Kankakee, Illinois, Jimmy Keene appeared destined for greatness. Charismatic, handsome, and athletically gifted, he became a celebrated ...Missing: biography - | Show results with:biography -
  17. [17]
    United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Larry D. Hall ...
    Prosecutors charged Hall in a one-count indictment with the offense of kidnapping Jessica Roach for the purpose of his own sexual gratification.
  18. [18]
    'Black Bird'—How Larry Hall's Alleged Victim's Family Reacted to ...
    Jul 15, 2022 · Hillel Levin interviewed both Garry and Donna Reitler for Keene's book, In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous ...Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  19. [19]
    Black Bird: What the show leaves out about serial killer Larry Hall
    New Apple TV+ prison drama Black Bird tells the real-life story of drug dealer Jimmy Keene, as played by Taron Egerton, and is based on his book In with the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  20. [20]
    Where Is James Keene Now? 'Black Bird' Is Based On His Memoir
    Jul 8, 2022 · After James “Jimmy” Keene had led his Kankakee Eastridge High School football team in the early '90s, the star athlete chose not to accept ...
  21. [21]
    Is Jimmy Keene Based on a Real Person? What Happened to Him?
    Jul 6, 2022 · Jimmy was thus arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in 1996, for which he received a harsh 10-year sentence in a ...Missing: marijuana | Show results with:marijuana
  22. [22]
    Larry Hall: Everything Black Bird Leaves Out About The Serial Killer ...
    Oct 17, 2024 · ... In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous ... Jimmy Keene Was Enlisted As An FBI Operative To Get A Confession From Hall.Missing: graphic | Show results with:graphic
  23. [23]
    Black Bird: Where Jimmy Keene and the Other Real Characters Are ...
    Aug 21, 2023 · ... drug business, selling marijuana before transitioning to the more profitable cocaine. In 1996, Keene was arrested and sentenced to 10 years ...Missing: leveraged ties<|separator|>
  24. [24]
    From Prison to Helping the FBI to an Apple TV Miniseries ... to ...
    Sep 23, 2025 · Jimmy Keene, on whom the Apple TV miniseries Black Bird was based, sues Google alleging its AI hallucinated accusations that he's a convicted ...Missing: USP Milan initial appeals
  25. [25]
    Black Bird Updates: Where Is James Keene Now? - Screen Rant
    Jul 17, 2022 · Despite the dangers, Keene accepted the deal, transferred to the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Missouri, and gained Hall's trust.
  26. [26]
    In with the Devil - Macmillan Publishers
    In with the Devil presents the true story of a young man destined for greatness on the football field—until a few wrong turns led him to a ten-year prison ...
  27. [27]
    IN WITH THE DEVIL | Kirkus Reviews
    IN WITH THE DEVIL. A FALLEN HERO, A SERIAL KILLER, AND A DANGEROUS BARGAIN FOR REDEMPTION. by James Keene with Hillel Levin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2010.Missing: Jimmy | Show results with:Jimmy
  28. [28]
    The Chicago Phoenix – Hard Cover - Jimmy Keene
    At a young age, Jimmy survives shootouts, brawls, robberies, and even a heist or two. Survival is never guaranteed. Jimmy's business thrives for two decades ...
  29. [29]
    Jimmy Keene: Home
    James “Jimmy” Keene is a well-known acclaimed American author, businessman, writer, creator, and multiple award winning television and film producer.About · Books Store · Media Engagement · Contact
  30. [30]
    Apple releases first look at highly anticipated limited drama series ...
    Mar 31, 2022 · “Black Bird” is developed and executive produced by Lehane. The first three episodes are directed by Academy Award nominee Michaël R. Roskam (“ ...
  31. [31]
    Black Bird (TV Mini Series 2022) - IMDb
    Rating 8.1/10 (134,969) Based on the true story of James Keene, a one-time drug associate, trying to elicit a confession from serial killer Larry Hall. Keene himself can be glimpsed ...Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall · Episode list · Official Trailer · PlotMissing: Dateline | Show results with:Dateline
  32. [32]
    'Black Bird' Review: Making Friends With a May-Be Killer
    Jan 31, 2023 · Lehane, who wrote or co-wrote five of the six episodes, worked from a 2010 memoir, “In With the Devil,” written by James Keene with Hillel Levin ...
  33. [33]
    Watch Black Bird - Show - ‎Apple TV
    As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be ...
  34. [34]
    Limited Series – Black Bird - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 98% (81) The acting, the story, the cinematography, all were great. Actors in this show were amazing. Taron did an amazing job portraying Jimmy Keene, and after hearing ...
  35. [35]
    Taron Egerton recalls Jimmy Keene's "surreal" Black Bird cameo
    Jul 8, 2022 · Taron Egerton has detailed filming Jimmy Keene's cameo in Black Bird, a crime drama based on a harrowing chapter from his life.<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    Where is Black Bird Filmed? Here Are All the Filming Locations
    Jul 7, 2022 · 'Black Bird' is filmed in Louisiana, Illinois, Ontario, and Quebec, particularly in and around New Orleans, the parishes of St. Bernard and Plaquemines.
  37. [37]
    Black Bird - Television Academy
    Paul Walter Hauser accepts the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Black Bird at the 75th Emmy Awards.
  38. [38]
    Ray Liotta Best Supporting Emmy Nomination Apple TV+ ... - Deadline
    Jul 12, 2023 · Ray Liotta Lands Posthumous Best Supporting Emmy Nom For Apple TV+ Miniseries 'Black Bird'Missing: viewership | Show results with:viewership
  39. [39]
    Apple TV+ prison drama 'Black Bird' soars to top of charts | Cult of Mac
    Aug 1, 2022 · Black Bird is the latest hit for Apple TV+. The prison drama has been one of the top 10 most watched streaming shows for three weeks straight now.
  40. [40]
    How the Quality-Over-Quantity Approach Could Bring Apple TV+ ...
    Sep 11, 2022 · Black Bird reached an outstanding level of global demand, with 18.7 times more demand than the average show worldwide.
  41. [41]
    James Keene - IMDb
    IMDb profile confirming James Keene (Jimmy Keene) as a producer on Black Bird.
  42. [42]
    Who Is James "Jimmy" Keene? Exclusive Interview - Comic Years
    Interview detailing Keene's martial arts background, selection reasons including street smarts and physical attributes.
  43. [43]
    Jimmy Keene, Larry Hall, And The True Story Behind 'Black Bird'
    Article confirming father's police officer career and FBI training on interrogation.