TIFS Investigates: "We Are Not Afraid" podcast host continues to dissect misinformation in Humphrey case

Javier Lavia

By Dennis McCaslin - Today in Fort Smith

The world of true crime podcasting has been rocked by revelations exposing the deceitful behavior of Javier Leiva, a podcaster whose credibility is now in tatters. Leiva, once a rising figure in the genre, has been caught in a web of lies, thanks to the investigative efforts of respected podcaster David McClam.

What started as a series of unsubstantiated claims has now become a scandal that could permanently damage Leiva’s reputation.

For months, Javier Leiva and a small group of self-professed surrogates have entrenched themselves in an aggressive harassment campaign aimed at discrediting key figures in the true crime community.

Their primary target? McClam, host of We Are Not Afraid, a well-respected podcast known for its hard-hitting investigations. Leiva has inflamed his audience with false claims, including the assertion that he has filed a lawsuit against McClam—a claim that McClam decisively debunked in his latest podcast episode.

In this episode, McClam plays a pivotal clip from Leiva’s own show, where Leiva audaciously states he has filed a lawsuit. This claim is immediately contradicted by a second clip, one from Leiva's own attorney, stating that no such lawsuit has been filed. The blatant discrepancy has left listeners questioning Leiva’s integrity and the legitimacy of his ongoing claims.

This is just the latest in a string of falsehoods propagated by Leiva. In a separate instance, both McClam and I, as owner and editor of Today in Fort Smith, exposed yet another of his deceitful narratives—one claiming that LaDonna Humphrey, a well-known advocate and true crime author, was somehow involved in a 2015 arson that destroyed the home of disgraced pastor Jon Hughes Allen.

Our investigative efforts revealed that not only was this accusation baseless, but it also reflected a clear attempt by Leiva to mislead his audience for personal gain.

But the lies don’t stop there.

In a shocking display of deceit, both Javier Leiva and his self-professed co-owner of the Pretend Podcast, Anthony Christopher, filed false police reports against McClam, accusing him of threatening violence against both men. These accusations were thoroughly investigated by Today in Fort Smith, and we discovered that McClam did no such thing.

This is yet another fabricated attempt to smear McClam’s name, further tarnishing Leiva’s credibility. It is worth noting that Anthony Christopher himself has a murky past, having previously been a suspect in a Medicaid fraud investigation, which only adds to the dubious nature of his current claims.

The exposure of Leiva’s lies, coupled with the involvement of his sidekick Christopher, raises serious concerns about the integrity of the Pretend Podcast and the lengths to which its creators will go to attack those who expose the truth.

Their false police reports against McClam are not just a testament to their dishonesty but also a stark reminder of the malicious tactics they employ to silence critics.

The ripple effect from these revelations has sent shockwaves through the true crime podcasting community. True crime media relies on trust, integrity, and the pursuit of justice for victims. Javier Leiva and Anthony Christopher have betrayed those values, and the damage they’ve caused to their listeners' trust may be irreparable.

With the mounting evidence against both men, it’s clear that their credibility is beyond repair. As we continue to bring the truth to light, we hope this serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of misinformation in the world of true crime media.

Both David McClam and I remain committed to exposing lies and upholding the integrity of our work, ensuring that those who engage in such harmful behavior are held accountable.

The unfolding story will continue to be monitored as new developments arise. For now, the true crime community is left to reckon with the consequences of Javier Leiva and Anthony Christopher’s deceitful actions.