Dragged into the Light: Truthers, Reptilians, Super Soldiers and Death Inside an Online Cult

Written by Tony Russo

Narrated by Tony Russo

As Seen on VICE TV's “The Devil You Know” Season 2

Ohio housewife Sherry Shriner grew to prominence as a social media cult leader, flourishing in the era of conspiracy theories and the 9/11 Truther movement.

She preached the virtues of mysterious orgone energy and Christian prayer as defensive shields against the forces of darkness, including Lucifer and his demons; reptilian shapeshifters masquerading as human elites; the New World Order; cell phone towers; even hostile UFOs that flamed out over her home, visible only as shooting stars.

Amazingly, she built a coterie of passionate devotees. The more outrageous the lie, the more fervent their belief.

In 2017, she told follower Steven Mineo that his girlfriend, Barbara Rogers, was a witch who would kill him. A month later, Steven was dead, and Barbara was in jail charged with his murder.

Steven’s death proved Sherry’s divinity to her followers, but in reality, he was just the latest casualty in a string of online trolling attacks that had left an earlier believer dead of suicide and still more cast into the outer darkness of cyberspace.

Journalist Tony Russo follows Sherry Shriner’s cult, digs into its bizarre beliefs, and reports on the shredded lives and reputations surrounding an otherwise-nondescript woman who transformed herself into a web-based evangelist.

The incredible story is documented in dogged reporting, surviving internet chats and transcripts, and voluminous police records.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Secant Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Mar 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781735995748

Tony Russo

Tony Russo has worked as a journalist since 2004, writing and editing for daily and weekly newspapers and magazines, and most recently as editor of OceanCity.com. Tony has written about beer almost since the start of the craft beer revolution in the region. He co-hosts a popular, weekly podcast "Beer with Strangers" and runs the ShoreCraftBeer.com craft beer lifestyle website. He lives in Delmar, Maryland, with his wife and four daughters.

Reviews for Dragged into the Light

[Ava · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and informative in how an online cult influenced a murder. I think those who are sympathetic to Sherrie’s beliefs have unfairly rated this audiobook. The “The Devil You Know” Documentary compliments this book as you get to hear expert and personal opinions of others close to all those involved in this book.

[Mary Powell · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is a true crime story that the author researched and narrated. Therefore, I am going to be sensitive. This did not work for me.

I had the audiobook and would suggest employing a professional narrator. I didn't realize until now Russo read his book. I did note the fit was not there.

The book read more like a paper than a story. There were places I could see note cards being moved around. There is an incredible amount of profanity.

The story itself is creepy, it's psychologically targeting people who I suspect are not stable mentally, and the leader herself was quite manipulative which is why there is a book. I would like to understand the need for this to be in print.

[WayofCats · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Layers of delusion are revealed as the writer describes an apocalyptic cult and an incredible cast of characters who aren't living in our reality.

A very unusual kind of true crime. I felt sorry for almost everyone involved.

[T · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Russo has clearly enjoyed writing this piece. I’d put 1.5 stars for his enthusiasm at least. But as for the work itself, well… ever wanted a YouTube rant about a cult (without the video), instead of a thoughtful well-research thesis? Nor have I, but that’s what we are gifted here. Regularly clipped audio tracks so he is always talking, unreferenced assertions like “studies have shown that…”, thinly-veiled contempt for anything religious, and a knack for playing the paychologist to decide the victim’s problems all play well in today’s culture. But it also tends toward becoming the mirror-image of the world he despises. As for the subject matter, well, I suppose I’ll have to do my own research - with references and a more neutral tone. But for you, if can handle the rant to try and find something of interest, keep listening.