Ep 4. Elena Kiejliches

Elena Kiejliches was just a young mother trying to make a better life for her family. She emigrated from the Ukraine to the United States in search of the American dream, but tragedy struck when her husband, Rusty, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Despite Elena's best efforts to support Rusty financially and emotionally, his condition continued to deteriorate, and he eventually passed away.

As if the loss of her husband wasn't enough, Elena was left with mounting medical bills and a struggling business. Desperate for a way to make ends meet, she turned to a man she met online named Danny. Despite her reservations, Elena quickly became romantically involved with Danny and allowed him to move into her home.

However, things took a dark turn when Elena discovered that Danny was involved in illegal activity, including drug trafficking and money laundering. Despite her protests, Danny continued to involve her in his schemes and even convinced her to marry him so that he could obtain a green card.

As the pressure mounted, Elena found herself caught up in a dangerous world she never could have imagined. She was forced to lie to her friends and family, launder money, and even smuggle drugs across state lines. It wasn't long before the FBI caught wind of Danny's activities and began building a case against him.

When Danny was finally arrested, Elena found herself facing serious criminal charges as well. Despite her claims of innocence and her cooperation with law enforcement, she was eventually convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Snapped season 1 episode 4 takes an in-depth look at Elena Kiejliches' journey from immigrant mother to convicted felon. It explores the pressures and abuses that led her down a dangerous path, and the incredible strength and resilience she demonstrated in the face of overwhelming adversity.