Former DC drug kingpin now out of prison
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Tony Lewis, Sr. went to jail on drug charges in his late 20s. He was supposed to spend the rest of his life in a jail cell, never getting a taste of freedom again. In March, his life took another dramatic turn.
On April 15, 1989, more than two dozen people were rounded up in D.C., accused of running a massive crack cocaine operation in the region, including Lewis, Sr. That day in 1989 was his last day as a free man - until now - 34 years later.
Tony and his son, Tony Lewis, Jr., spoke with WUSA9 about regaining his freedom. It's a moment the father and son have been dreaming of for decades, even with the elder Lewis' sentence.
He was sentenced to life without parole.
"It's a slow death sentence, actually. That's what life without parole in the federal prison system is. They don't want to use those terms, but it's a slow death," Leiws, Sr. said.
Lewis, Sr. was 26 at the time. His son was only 8 years old.
"My mother sat me down and said, 'You need to write him. He needs you. He needs you now.' The backdrop to that, my father was a very present, doting father," Lewis, Jr. said.
The bond between father and son was unbreakable, despite barriers. Lewis, Sr. was worried about his son's safety - navigating life in D.C. during the seemingly inescapable crack crisis, and poverty, but also because his former partner, drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III became a federal informant.
Lewis, Sr. said he hasn't kept tabs on Edmond.
"We were in touch somewhat, until he became an informant for the government and that was it with that," Lewis, Sr. said. "I was somewhat surprised with that occurring."
Still, Lewis, Sr. said all he could think about was protecting his son.
"I think his greatest fear was me joining him. He never wavered from, 'This was essentially hell and I would never want you to come here and these are the steps that you have to take to not come here,'" Lewis, Jr. said.
Instead, the younger Lewis focused on getting his father back home. He organized multiple rallies and a Free Tony Lewis campaign that went on for years. His argument was his father's sentence was unfair and excessive for a violent offender.
"I broke the law. I understand that. I should have gone to prison, but not for the rest of my life for a non-violent drug offense," Lewis, Sr. said. "I sincerely apologize to D.C. residents and I thank them for forgiving me."
He was ultimately freed because of a policy established during the Trump administration focused on fair sentences, rehabilitation and second chances.
Lewis, Jr. delivered the news to his dad, still hoping it wasn't a dream.
"I send him an email that said, 'Big boy, I'm coming to get you on Monday.' He hit me back like, 'Are you projecting?'"
Since then, it's been more than a week of reuniting with his family, grandkids, friends and his community.
"We're nine days into this and in the morning, he's going with me to take my kids to school and I'm like, 'Is this dude really in the car with me," Lewis, Jr. said.
"I think the same thing. I look back at the girls and I'm like one of my dreams is coming true," Lewis, Sr. said.
He said he is ready to get to work for his community, he has a job lined up, and he's also hoping to amplify his story to keep others from going down the wrong path. As he put it, his jail cell is empty and he wants to keep it that way.
READ MORE: www.wusa9.com/...
They both needed each other & the mother knew that. That's great
Another good woman who raised a strong man and understood that a son needs a father and a father needs his son. That woman deserves a lot of credit.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That part
This is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. But in not surprised. You guys will manipulate and gaslight anything rather than know this guy has poisoned neighborhoods and takes advantage of people in the name of tribalism.
Women get enough credit. This time, it goes to the father and son. 😶
@@alphaomega1351 You all are so polarized and silly thinking. How bout it is kudos to THE FAMILY. EVERYBODY did the right thing to keep the family connected after the father went to jail. OKAY!
Wow they actually look like BROTHERS
I was thinking the same thing. Lewis Sr looks good for his age
I agree. I wasn't sure who was who at first.
That's interesting about the Trump era
Yup❤😂🎉😅😊
Black don’t crack
I LOVE THIS. It’s nothing like reuniting with the people who love you the most. !!!
I am happy to hear about this..his son worked tirelessly to get him released
Till he commits another crime
He was a criminal
He sure did!
imagine your drug dealing partner becoming a federal informant. Life is awful.
Those scums chose that life
Rayful Edmonds legendary rat like Alpo
I did time with him in Cumberland Maryland FCI ...he used go to the LT office and sit and chat with them he was highly respected
The respect of criminals is worthless because criminals are worthless
@@silentmajority8365 it depends on what kind of criminal. selling coke wouldnt be a crime in meideval times. but murder and rape would still be a crime. he was just selling what was in demand not hurting anyone.
Yeah he was in A2 with UNC from Benning pk
@@silentmajority8365 you're no better than them haha
@@RideWithDeath333 How do you figure?
How could I be more a threat to society
Than a drug king pin that caused the death of hundreds maybe thousands
DUH
Man this is powerful
I see people saying don't ruin your second chance. He never had a chance. Does anyone remember the laws back then? Life for drugs is crazy.
READ THE TITLE - DRUG KING PIN - HOW MANY LIVES HAS THIS GUY RUINED WITH HIS DRUGS - 😮
Preach
@@michaelanderson3096 say that to the drug companies who pushed fentanyl for years to people who don’t need it. None of those executives or owners will ever see a day of jail. They ruined 100x the amount of lives
@@michaelanderson3096 oh wait those owners are whites so they can’t get charged
The 80s? What Tf you talking about Willis?
Drugs were bad then and now
He had a chance but decided crime was easier
Great story of redemption, reflection, and community engagement to unity a family. He paid his debt and owned his mistakes… God bless. 🙏
Louis Jr Mama is awesome for not allowing his Dad's absence to make him truly absent. 😮. Life without parole for a Non Violent offense. Killers get a chance to kill again 😭. Glad U out bro!
Drugs are poison
Drugs fund the worst crimes from murder to the sex traffick and kid porn
Blood is on every drug
Somebody died along the way
Non Violent? Is that what the drug trade is?
Here is a fact for the ignorant...........Like YOU.
What percentage of US murders are drug related?
1. There is some link to drugs in a large number (86%) of homicide cases.
The Link Between Drugs and Homicide
Oh you smoothbrained as hell, dude was selling hella rock & u acting like it was some weed😂
@@Anor101weed crack coke heroine liquor cigarettes all the same. he didn't force any1 to use it
@@Anor101boohoo cc ain't deadly for full time crackheads 😂 you think bro was selling to kids in elementary in the school bathroom ?
What a testimony! 34 years later… That’s a long time for a drug charge… He admitted he broke the law but Life! Love to see him with his Son and Grandchildren…
Only because you are naive
Those selling drugs involved in other crimes
@@silentmajority8365
Never Naive! While your judging make sure your closet clear🤔
@@nicholee3800 You are illiterate
I don't speak Ebonics
Not judging got us here
What part of drug king pin is unclear to you
He was responsible for ruining many lives
@@silentmajority8365
Hell he did 34 years! Killers get less time than this. Or how bout men/women who rape. They don’t even get 1/2 of this time.
This man has served his sentence.30+ years is a life sentence. God Bless and make good choices.
Bro you still look good. enjoy life to the fullest now👍
He is a scum a drug lord and your saying live life ? They are the scums of society U stupid
Another example of Trump not being racist against black people… Shout out to WUSA9 for keeping it real by including that
If I vote Trump my family will disown me... so I just don't talk politics or vote 😂😅...
I’m glad that he has been given a second chance. And he was able to inspire his son to do well for his life as well.
He going sell drugs again
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Watch him blow it
@@silentmajority8365 sometimes the only way to show compassion is to need it yourself. I hope you are blessed with that opportunity 😊 be blessed
@@janeneoliviere1160 This man ruined lives with drugs
this man caused the death of people by drugs and over drugs even if he did not pull the trigger
People cried over Rodney King yet he went on to be a wife beater and dying of drugs
OJ went free yet committed robbery and Kidnapping with his second chance. Look it up
Then there was Lawrence Singleton
He raped and cut the arms of a woman leaving her for dead in a ditch
He was paroled getting a second chance
He went to Florida raped and kidnapped again but this time cops shot him
He was W so no riots
A Good Man, who definitely stands to inspire others w/his story!
This is so dope. Imagine your own son fighting for you to get out and u get released 🙌🏽
Imagine how many families and lives that man destroyed slinging that poison in his own community for profit.
@@FactsoverFeelings94027 Nobody told any of them to be on Drugs. You probably are one of them he sold too that’s why u so pressed about my comment 🤡😂
He favor supreme ....bless him...FREEDOM is a must👑
🙏🏾🙏🏾 i remember them music videos with his on and everyone with the free Sr shirts on ✊🏾✊🏾
Couldn't have done it without Trump...the guy has gotta get his credit. These Dixiecrats would've let him waste away.
Growing up in DC during the 80's, I would have let him waste away. I remember going to one to many funerals.
Tru... DC was horrible. A lot of death and drug addiction. The repercussions are still in effect to this day.
You should of did your research first before you made that statement that bill was written by the Democrats just fall on trumps deck...🤷
You should have did your research before you made that comment that bill was written by the Democrats but fell on Trump's deck..🤷
Happy for this brother and his family man! I hope he becomes an entrepreneur & has much success! Love black joy stories
This is a crack dealer that pushed drugs on the black community. Needs to be still in there.
Not a joy story.
@@modestoravelo7633 then what is it Mr. Narrator?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣forget about all the lives he ruined with drugs
@@silentmajority8365 how is that his fault?? He didn’t put a gun to these people & force them to take drugs, they WANTED to get high. If it wasn’t him selling it then it’d be someone else. The pushers aren’t 100% the problem, they’re providing a product that’s already in demand 🤷♂️
Respect to Tony Lewis Jr and his family for their fight for their father.. He spent all his teenage years in this agenda, glad to see the results… Welcome home King (Mr Lewis) … 💪🏾💫
So see Trump really did some good free this man free Wayne and Yak
Welcome home my friend
Amazing!!!! Out of all the comments nobody bothers to give thanks to the man that changed the policy to help get this man released. Well let me be the first. Thank you Donald Trump for helping to get men like this out of prison early.
LOOK LIKE BROTHERS INSTEAD OF FATHER AND SON
Had he murdered another young black man, he'd been out 20 years ago.
God bless that brotha, and I hope he prospers
What about families and communities he destroyed? Selling poison to them for profit, do you hope god blesses them too?
Biblical
"He set the captive free"
Congratulations! God Bless
Great too see have good friends in prison for years and life.. Irish laws crazy. Stay strong and healthy blessings from Ireland pal🇮🇪🍀💪🙏💯
During the Trump era. Crazy thing is you’ve black folks that still hate Trump.
Yeup. It just shows how stupid many of our folks are. President Trump is about the only President in the last 50 years that gave a damn about us Black folks
This is awesome❤
He "sincerely apologizes !" w ow good for him, that doesnt help all the people killed during those years for being in the wrong place at the wrong time ...and all the ruined lives of cocaine addicts !! he apologizes ??!!! wow good for him!
People talk so bad about dealers but at what point does personal accountability come in for the addicts?
No one should get life for drugs. Meanwhile child predators get out in like it’s nothing
Right I don’t understand that
Yes they should!
Non Violent? Is that what the drug trade is?
Here is a fact for the ignorant...........Like YOU.
What percentage of US murders are drug related?
1. There is some link to drugs in a large number (86%) of homicide cases.
The Link Between Drugs and Homicide
President Trump hopefully has there Lewis family votes! Not dad bc he can't vote now which is sad in itself but to the rest of the Lewis family, president Trump needs your votes! He is fair, respects and LOVES this country and we NEED President Trump! Best wishes to the Lewis family. If it were up tip kamala she would be giving "life without parole" to ALL non violent offenders as well as FIRST time offenders!
President Trump🇺🇲
From bottom to the top, the power of a well deserved second chance
I love how they say non violent crime smh tell that to the children who parents sold them for sex so they can feed their drug habit from the drugs this model citizen was selling
So why are they locking up the pill poppers today for life.
That crime would on the parents not him! So you just gonna put another persons choices on him too!? Wow.
@@derald614 No! But he acts like his father is some kind of hero. Our people are DONE. No wonder other races don't take us seriously. We are seen as fools and 🤡!! Lives are gone and our people act like he is a hero!!
Andre Jones you cannot convince me that something isn't mentally challenged with our people. Can you imagine the lives destroyed by this man group? Children lost their mothers and fathers because of this type of activity. But then again everytime I visit DC I am amazed by the mentality. I will leave it at THAT!!
@@lero7031 Thank you so much!!!!
I'm from DC and why is he out because I knew Raf and pretty much anyone that worked for and with him have more bodies on them than they can count. The game back than was nothing to play about. That's was reason we became the murder capital of the world in a year. So what that being said I really don't gaf that he's out.
Learn to speak properly please
That’s A Real Son!
Thank God For A Good Woman That Didn’t Speak Down On His Father While Being Incarcerated
How is that the most important thing you get from this? I was truly expecting to see more comments on sentencing.
@@smartfinds2020
Because he fought for his father instead of turning his back on him & forgetting he existed
@@HatersHaveOpinion1 That would be the son. But why mention that the mother did not bad mouth him? He did a bad thing. He should have made better decisions.
@@smartfinds2020
Because there’s a lot of mothers that would never speak good about a sons father once they are no longer in their life. Some women cheat & lose contact with men that go to prison
@@HatersHaveOpinion1 Yea. LOL I knew that was the reason. Dude was a drug dealer. A pookie as you would call them.
Trump should've ran for president 20 years ago.
He saved his son and his son saved him❤❤
Congratulations 🍾🎉🎊🎈 To Tony Lewis Free At Last 🙏🏾🙏🏾💙💙🙏🏾🙏🏾!
Freedom? Paying taxes, high ass rent and mortgages you call that Freedom?
Wow you’d rather be in jail?
I would rather that than living like an animal in a cage. And that isn’t free either
He look younger than his son. Im happy for them
Prison does that to ppl.
@@jonaslafleur2429 From picking up the soap
@@silentmajority8365
Make sure your not picking up the Soap Partner! I see your the Naive One! What this man doing got nothing to do with you…
@@nicholee3800 Could you write in English?
I see you are the illiterate and morally bankrupt one
This man has no impact on your life
He is a criminal not a hero.
@@nicholee3800 Why did you subscribe if I'm naive?
Stalker?
I’m glad they let the OG out. Wow! Hallelujah! 🙏🏾🤍
Agreed 👍🏼!!!
“Are You Projecting?” 😂❤
Big Bro you got your second chance.... Don't blow it! Now show/ help us cats out here how to build empires for our families and communities 👊
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼
He got a job at NASA so he can probe Uranus soon
@@silentmajority8365 🤣 💯 Ok
@@silentmajority8365 🤣🤣
Get an education, learn a trade or go to college, stay out of trouble, and work hard at what you want. Why would you want advice from devils like him who exploited and poisoned his own for money?
I am glad he got another chance at freedom... how ever there is not much of a difference in violent or non violent crime when sale of drugs was destroying families ..Crack discombobulated more than enough family and took many to the grave yard or they never got themselves back together....keep that in mind because I do every time I think of a person who fell victim to the pipe
The violence and murder he has caused in DC cannot be measured 😮
Was you there ??
@@omizzy20 What does that have to do with it? The people who was gave him kingpin charges & his team was making over 20M a month of the avails and the life that comes with it. Again, what is your point?
@@powerinvolved-di3vl2yd6qthose same people that were silent when cia was making hundreds of millions a week and using that funds to oppress & kill & destabilize farmers, thinkers, regimes, politicians, leaders, in South America in the name of capitalism.
Some don’t care about their own destroying their communities
Good he's out..He did his time
I'm glad he's out my brother just got out 24 yrs for a kilo let's reflect trump black people
Great story. Man stick with the family and just take your time getting back on your feet.
What's the story here, really? This is nothing but platforming a convicted drug dealer.
Im happy youre my Brother. From Bmore with love soar high man
Been hearing bout him... Best thing I heard in years
God Bless you 🙏
he comes out of jail back to D.C. and says.....wait a minute......theyre called the washington commanders now? and they play in Maryland? And their assistant RBs coach is a lesbian? I aint the one thats crazy
Welcome home! 🙏🏽
Great story, I'm glad the father didn't have to live the rest of his life dreaming of being free again over and over. He's home and still positive.
Damn this video need to be posted on every blog. That’s the only thing they listen too
Congratulations I got my uncle out after 34 years.
He’s one of the people who helped wholeheartedly and willfully destroy black communities and kill other black men. I’m torn on this.
Welcome to this New World O.G ... Don't nobody smoke Crack no more they just Crazy
It was time to let this man come home to his family. I worked with his son as a parole officer with Court Service and Offender Supervision Agency and made the decision to support the effort to release his father.
Finally some good news 🎉
Did he die?
So the release of a devil is good news?
Welcome home Big Homey! I can't wait to see the big things you & Jr. put down in the community.
I'm 9 months late. I never knew he was home. Peace from Medina
The drug business has never been non violent. His contributions have destroyed many families in his area. I am happy he’s home and able to build with his family.
Exactly so u should not be happy - he deserves to rot in prison
Thank God and everyone who helped free this Black Man out yes had to say BLACK MAN cause WE all KNOW WE GET MUCH LONGER SENTENCES THAN OTHERS. Much success on ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS 💯💯
What you were apart of caused violence, death and the destruction of YOUR community. So you talk about fair. You don’t show any compassion to your community just to your pocket. Lives are still ruined because of what you helped push. Hopefully you do something to help your community for the rest of your life. Help some of those same peoples lives you impacted in a very negative way.
Facts
This can be a nice movie.
A loving father with a nice family but into drugs, ends up in jail. With the family at heart, he is determined to raise his only child from behind the bars. However, things took a bizarre turn when he is further sentenced to life in prison without a parole. At this point convicts give up on their families but not this father, who is determined to walk his son on a straight path through the obstacles and challenges of life in the freeworld.
Crack dealing is not a non violent offence, he should have stayed in jail.
what Percentage of US murders are drug related?
1. There is some link to drugs in a large number (86%) of homicide cases.
The Link Between Drugs and Homicide
@@Heart2HeartBooks Bro, we got no beef.
Blessings!
Non violent my ass!! How many people died and suffered because of his drugs…I grew up in Anacostia D.C. and know firsthand what happened.
No u dnt!! Liar!!
Ok crackheads gonna smoke crack don’t matter who sold it. I don’t see you mad at liquor companies for giving people alcohol poisoning and the main reason for fatal accidents.
Yup he was prolly putting hits out on people
I'm glad that he's home, but remember, he's just one of many.
Heartfelt 🫂💓🫂
Former Drug dealers should not be revered or celebrated. Instead, they should be considered race traitors for their contributions to the demised of the black community and the Prison Industrial Complex. Hopefully, his second chance can be a positive change within the community he helps destroy.
Thank you. Finally somebody with some understanding.
Shut yo goofy ass up the biggest drug dealers are in the government. Goofy
Iam from CALI, but i got alot of Famliy in Garfield in D.C, in the 80s and 90s D.C. was a mf, i miss that "GOGO MUSIC"💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
Welcome home, another movie in the making, 50 Cent coming with that bag 💰💰💸💸💸💯💯
God bless bro happy you back with your family
What....Wait....
Did you say "MAD DOGG NO GOOD!!!!"....😂😂
Wow, what a great second poke at life of freedom, congratulations to you all
Its about time he got out. God bless and restore the years.
Hope he don’t blow his second chance. Im sure he can do good, but hopefully he WILL do good👏🏼
Hopefully self righteous judgemental folks like u learn to shut up sooner rather later
I jus bought sum dope from him yesterday
@@jizzledamayor334 He gon die in prison lmao
@Jizzle DaMayor OK cool Officer
yet he destroyed so many black lives for $5....r we supposed to feel srry 4 u
Everybody is balled in this video🤔
Trump put the law in motion. He didn’t specifically advocate for Tony Lewis, Sr. Any President could have commuted his sentence but they didn’t.
Trump did commute a handful of black men life sentences unlike other presidents . You just don't hear about it
@Michael lo He Freed A Friend Of Mine. Thats Factual Information
@Michael lo actually it was his son in law Jared kusher
@@QUICKJABS1 gotta give Kim Kardashian some credit as well. Ppl don't talk about this enough!!
@@deondreperkins9182 🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮
To God Be The Glory…thank God for his son and the mama who raised him
Ikyl erry’body I looked up too as king pins all rats 🐀 smh 🤦🏾♂️ I wasn’t a big time dealer but I dealt weight ! I got sentenced to 15 yrs ! No ratting done my time like a man ! And came home , a better and smarter man !
Will you tell if they gave you 50 years
Welcome home God is so good. Their need to be more laws on how confidential informants can be used and the officers handling them
Still looks great🙌🏽
Great story and proof Trump is for the people
God is good...God is real....stay blessed!!!
Going to prison for life for any drug charge is ridiculous
Rayful is on his way home next.
Glad he is out met his son he went to my school gave everyone free book love it
Welcome home my brother!
The game has changed, Fentanyl has killed off alot of loyal customers. Nobody f with crack, unless you got a death wish.