She drugged men and stole their money. Then it turned into murder.
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖David Butler was drugged and robbed of $132,000 by Danette Colbear in New Orleans in 2021, who used his biometrics to access his phone.
- ❖Colbear had a history of similar drugging and theft incidents in multiple cities, including Las Vegas and Nashville.
- ❖Judge Nandy Campbell initially sentenced Colbear to only 5 years probation for Butler's conviction, despite the severity and repeat nature of her crimes.
- ❖Sports reporter Adam Manzano was fatally drugged and robbed by Colbear in New Orleans, a death Butler believes was preventable had Colbear received a proper sentence.
- ❖After Manzano's death, the State Attorney General's office intervened, leading to Colbear's re-sentencing to 25 years for Butler's case.
Insights
1Biometrics are a Vulnerability When Incapacitated
Danette Colbear gained access to David Butler's phone and initiated transfers totaling over $132,000 by using his biometrics (face/fingerprint) while he was unconscious from being drugged. This highlights a significant security flaw where physical access to an incapacitated victim can bypass digital protections.
David Butler explains: "biometrics I would say do not put biometrics on your phone because once I was drugged and incapacitated, she used biometrics uh to get into my phone and she was able to initiate the transfers based on my biometrics." He was passed out for 12-16 hours.
2Judicial Leniency Directly Enabled Escalation to Murder
Judge Nandy Campbell's decision to sentence Danette Colbear to only five years probation for multiple felony charges of theft and fraud, despite her extensive criminal history, allowed Colbear to remain free. This leniency directly preceded and, in the host's and victim's opinion, enabled Colbear to allegedly commit murder.
The host states: "if the judge had actually punished her, that sports reporter may be alive." David Butler adds: "Mr. Manzano would not be dead today if Judge Campbell had properly given a sentence that was equitable based on her history."
3Law Enforcement Resistance and Lack of Active Pursuit
David Butler faced initial resistance from the New Orleans Police Department, who insinuated his situation was prostitution-related. Despite a warrant being issued for Colbear, police did not actively search for her, only intending to arrest her if she was encountered incidentally. This passive approach allowed Colbear to continue her criminal activities across state lines.
Butler recounts the officer's insinuations at and his feeling that the officer was pushing him not to make a report at . He states: "I was told that they it's not like an active arrest warrant. Like they're not looking for her."
4Organized Crime Network Suspected in Drugging and Robbery Cases
The perpetrator, Danette Colbear, was linked to accomplices (Ricky White and Christian Anderson) and operated with a consistent modus operandi across multiple cities (New Orleans, Las Vegas, Nashville). This suggests she was part of a larger, organized network targeting men for drugging and robbery.
Butler states: "it occurred to me at that point that she couldn't have been operating alone because the window of time was pretty short." He later confirms: "Ricky White and Christian Anderson have also been named as her accomplices... I do think that there's some larger network that's operating there and probably in other cities like Las Vegas or Nashville or Miami."
Bottom Line
The 'criminal justice reform' agenda of elected judges can inadvertently create public safety risks by prioritizing reduced incarceration over appropriate sentencing for repeat violent offenders.
This approach, while well-intentioned, can lead to dangerous individuals being released back into the community, enabling them to commit more severe crimes, as seen with Judge Nandy Campbell's decision.
Advocates for criminal justice reform need to integrate robust mechanisms for identifying and appropriately sentencing serial offenders, particularly those whose crimes escalate in severity, to prevent tragic outcomes while still pursuing reform goals.
Cities reliant on tourism may have an incentive to downplay or under-report crimes like drugging and robbery to protect their image, potentially hindering effective law enforcement and public awareness.
This could lead to a cycle where victims are discouraged from reporting, police are less incentivized to investigate thoroughly, and the problem persists, making tourists and locals more vulnerable.
Public safety campaigns in tourist cities should proactively address these specific crime types, providing clear reporting channels and support for victims, rather than allowing the issue to be swept under the rug due to reputational concerns.
Lessons
- Disable biometric login (face ID, fingerprint) for critical financial apps and your phone's lock screen, especially when in social settings, to prevent unauthorized access if incapacitated.
- Never leave your drink unattended in public, and consider using anti-drugging devices or cup covers when out at bars or social events.
- If you suspect you've been drugged and robbed, seek immediate medical attention for drug testing and report the crime to law enforcement, insisting on a thorough investigation regardless of perceived stigma.
- Be aware that some police departments may initially dismiss or downplay reports of men being drugged; be persistent and gather as much evidence as possible yourself (e.g., banking records, location data).
Notable Moments
David Butler wakes up after being drugged to find over $100,000 stolen, realizing his phone's biometrics were used while he was unconscious.
This vividly illustrates the vulnerability of modern digital security when physical access to an incapacitated individual is gained, and the sheer scale of the theft.
Butler describes the New Orleans Police Department's initial reluctance to take his report seriously, implying prostitution or nefarious activity.
This highlights the stigma and systemic bias faced by male victims of drugging and robbery, leading to underreporting and inadequate law enforcement response.
Judge Nandy Campbell sentences Danette Colbear to only 5 years probation despite her conviction for multiple felonies and a history of similar crimes.
This moment is presented as a critical judicial failure that directly enabled Colbear to continue her criminal activities, leading to a fatal outcome.
David Butler's worst fear is realized when he learns Danette Colbear is implicated in the fatal drugging and robbery of Adam Manzano, a sports reporter.
This connects the dots between judicial leniency and a tragic, preventable death, underscoring the severe consequences of systemic failures.
Quotes
"If the judge had actually punished her, that sports reporter may be alive."
"Biometrics I would say do not put biometrics on your phone because once I was drugged and incapacitated, she used biometrics uh to get into my phone."
"The only reason people like her continue to get away with things like this is because nobody speaks up."
"Mr. Manzano would not be dead today if Judge Campbell had properly given a sentence that was equitable based on her history."
Q&A
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