The American Greed episode “The Surfer Slayer?” examines the search for Jason Derek Brown who is on the FBI’s most wanted list. He is wanted for first degree murder and armed robbery. On November 29, 2004, Brown allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old armored car guard Robert Keith Palomares in Phoenix, Arizona and ran off with $56,000 in cash.
Brown, who is now 46-years-old, was born in Los Angeles. After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris, France (1988-1990), he earned a master’s degree in International Business, and ran two businesses from his home in Salt Lake City, Toys Unlimited and On The Doorstep Advertising. Brown developed a luxurious lifestyle and eventually ran up a lot of debt. In November 2004, he took a firearms class in Salt Lake City. His instructor, Clark Aposhian, described Brown as “an obnoxious student.” During a practice shooting, Brown accidentally fired a round into a truck. In 2013, the FBI doubled its reward of $200,000 (now $400,000) for information leading to Brown’s capture. American Greed airs Thursdays at 10pm on CNBC.
