Jason Wheeler was a social media influencer recruiter & business manager who was responsible for the death of Eli Barone.
History[]
After Max Brewer was arrested for Eli's murder, Max's parents try to convince Maroun that Max did what Jason told him to do. Maroun also discovered that there were several other kids who were convinced by Jason to do dangerous things. Price then talks to McCoy and claims that Jason has children and teens perform six dangerous challenges a month and Jason takes 70% of the royalties, and they have to maintain millions of followers; enforcing penalties if they fail to comply. He kept them at his content house and exploited them after he'd gotten them away from their parents. Price tells McCoy that Jason is responsible and must be charged. Cosgrove and Shaw then arrest Jason for murder.
Max gets offered a deal but refuses to testify against Jason. Max's attorney asks for all charges to be dismissed if he cooperates but Max claims that Jason isn't a bad guy and made him famous. Jason then gets taken to court for his involvement in Eli's murder. Cosgrove testifies against Jason as he was the arresting officer and Virgil testifies against Jason as he shot Eli for mistaking him to be a burglar. However, Max was supposed to testify but his parents decided to take him back to Florida causing Cosgrove and Shaw to arrest Max as a material witness.
Price discovered that Jason paid off Max's parents and attempts to use it against him, but his attorney insists that it is not a bribe, but it is Max's earnings. Later, McCoy tells Price that they have to offer Jason a deal but Price claims that Jason may be acquitted, and McCoy tells Price to find leverage. Maroun then finds a girl named Amber who took part in a dangerous challenge as told to by Jason, she is now permanently disabled. Maroun gets Amber's statement and Maroun tells Amber that she wants to stop other children from getting hurt, but Amber doesn't understand how she can help. Price and Maroun threaten Wheeler take a plea to avoid charges relating to Amber, and other kids who used to be part of the content house, who were severely injured. In the end, Jason takes the plea and is given 5-10 years in prison. (L&O: "Almost Famous")