Akbar Pray
| Wayne B. Pray | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 22, 1948 Newark, New Jersey |
| Other names | Akbar Pray |
| Criminal charge | Drug trafficking under federal drug kingpin statute (21 USCA 848 (b)drug kingpin statute) |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated for 27 years; petitioning for a time served sentence commutation |
| Conviction(s) | Sentenced January 12, 1990; life in prison without parole |
Akbar Pray (born Wayne B. Pray on March 22, 1948) is an American man convicted of being a drug kingpin who once operated in Newark, NJ and headed one of the nation's largest narcotics operations, bringing millions of dollars worth of cocaine and marijuana into the county since the early 1970s.
His drug gang operated in New Jersey from 1970s to the late 1980s. The Essex County, New Jersey based African-American organized crime network headed by Pray is believed to be one of the largest in New Jersey at the time. The Akbar organization called itself The Family, and consisted of more than 300 active members. In addition to its drug distribution networks, the group had been active in real estate ventures, weapons dealing and contract murders.
Once described as "untouchable" by law enforcement, Pray was sentenced to life without possibility of parole in 1990.
Criminal career
Hailing from Newark, NJ Pray rose from the ranks of ordinary street hustler to "kingpin" status during his career in street business. He indulged in all of the familiar trappings of the game; exotic cars, cash, women and fineries of all kinds. Considered to have had one of the most lucrative drug organizations in New Jersey history, Akbar’s reach imposed itself from California to Florida touching several states between.
The Afro-Lineal Organized Crime Report: The Family (North)
For several years, NJ's State Commission of Investigation (SCI or Commission) had developed intelligence on Afro-lineal mobs. These efforts culminated in a public hearing on November 29, 1990. The Afro-Lineal Organized Crime Report summarizes the public hearing. Within the report concerning Pray's The Family organization, it reads as follows:
New Jersey has a significant presence of African-American organized crime. A Newark-based cocaine and marijuana trafficking organization, called The Family, operates in several areas of the country. It was headed by Wayne (Akbar) Pray for nearly 20 years until his incarceration in federal prison in 1989 for life, without the opportunity for parole. Pray was convicted for being the "principal administrator" of a substantial cocaine importing and distribution organization. At its height, Pray’s group had about 300 members and associates. Newark Police Director Claude M. Coleman testified at the SCI public hearing as to the difficulties encountered in investigating Pray:
For some years ... [Pray] was considered to be one of the so-called untouchables, because he never came close to the [narcotics]. He was leading the life of wealth and influence, [but] I think everyone knew that he was involved in drug dealing .... Nonetheless, he had not been ... brought to justice, so to speak.
Director Coleman related how Pray built up The Family through "fear, intimidation and violence," directed primarily against rivals for the drug trade. Although the group has continued after Pray’s incarceration, Director Coleman described it as "fragmented" with several of Pray’s former lieutenants "now dealing on their own as freelancers" and some having been incarcerated.
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Ashton detailed the past and current status of The Family in testimony at the Commission’s public hearing:
... Akbar’s African-American organized crime network, called The Family, continues to operate. It is based in Essex County and consists of over two hundred members. Pray’s organization started in the early 1970s as [an outgrowth of] the New World of Islam. The Muslim [name] Akbar means omnipotent, all powerful, or the great one. In fact, Akbar referred to himself as Akbar Akbar in some cases, or the greatest of the great. He lived up to this name by assuming control over a vast and durable criminal network. The New World of Islam initially focused on supporting bank robberies and even operated a bank robbery school. Pray’s drug trafficking venture started out in a small area of Essex County and eventually extended to several states, including Ohio, Michigan, New York and Southern Florida.
At its height Pray’s network had at least 12 mid-level supervisors classified by the DEA as Class I violators. A Class I cocaine trafficker is defined by DEA as one who has the capability of distributing at least fifty kilos of cocaine on a monthly basis and manages at least five subordinate drug traffickers.
... During Pray’s 1989 federal trial for leading a continuing cocaine and marijuana trafficking enterprise, DEA witnesses testified that he was responsible for possessing and distributing approximately 188 kilograms of cocaine in a five-month period between February and June of 1987. In addition, he was responsible for distributing approximately 544 pounds of marijuana during the same period. It is estimated that Pray’s organization was receiving millions of dollars of gross income annually.
... Pray’s organization is presently operating at a much lower and more discreet level with basically the same structure. Reliable sources have indicated that Pray has maintained his customers and contacts and is still overseeing his drug transactions from prison.
Arrest and conviction
On June 21, 1988 Pray and four of his subordinates were indicted under the federal drug kingpin statute. He was arrested in Boca Raton, Florida by federal authorities, accused of leading an organized cocaine and marijuana trafficking enterprise. Federal officials estimated that his organization distributed 341 kilos of cocaine and 354 kilos of marijuana in less than two years, grossing more than $4.5 million annually.
Pray allegedly traveled throughout the United States, making deals and arranging for transportation of narcotics. He also traveled to Colombia and the West Indies to purchase his supply of cocaine.
His seven-month trial consisted of the testimony of 126 "document" witnesses, being hotel staff, car salesmen and retail clothing store employees, all solicited to testify to Pray’s extravagant spending and lifestyle, as part of the prosecution’s "substantial wealth" case against him. This ideology behind the case was that Pray made and spent copious amounts of money, far more than could be accounted for by legitimate means.
On January 12, 1990, Pray was sentenced under the federal drug kingpin statute to life in prison without parole.
Rehabilitation and transformation
Currently in his 27th year of a life sentence, Pray is alleged by some to have changed his ways and emerged as a wise, educated leader. While continuing to fight for his own freedom, Pray takes the time to be an example and an inspiration to those around him. He has become an accomplished author, penning the myth-shattering cautionary tale "The Death of the Game", warning youth of the detrimental realities associated with the street life. He is also a columnist and regular contributor to Don Diva magazine, a contributing writer to Nikki Turner’s "Tales From Da Hood" and co-author of "The Street Chronicles" with Nikki Turner. Respected and revered as a street legend and talented writer, Pray also serves as Editor in Chief of Gangster Chronicles. Pray's CD "Akbar Speaks" invaded the mix tape circuit and allowed Pray’s voice to be heard via a medium relevant to today’s youth.
Pray’s experience and accomplishments, both on the street and behind bars, make him more than qualified to be a mentor as he continues to establish himself as a leader and role model according to some. He is the CEO and Founder of Akbar Pray's Foundation For Change (APFFC). His APFFC non-profit organization is dedicated to re-directing the lives of at-risk urban youth. The organization embodies a "We are the solution to our own problems" mantra, and receives mentorship support from entertainers, community leaders and residents alike.
Health
Pray is now 67 years of age. His health though not poor is far from robust and Pray suffers with hypertension, prostate problems, glaucoma and is in need of double hip replacement surgery.
Sentence commutation
After serving 27 years to date on a federal life sentence without the possibility of parole Pray is currently seeking a sentence commutation to time served via Change.org.
Per an update on Change.org on June 6, 2013 the United States Pardon Attorney, Ronald L Rogers, was giving Pray’s petition for commutation some attention and on several occasions had contacted the Warden at Otisville FCI where Pray is currently incarcerated, as well as contacted his family and other supporters.