by Corey Bryant
“Maan, fuck!” I said.
“Man, that ain’t all they done hit our business looking through records, computers, and ledgers not to mention the IRS is rolling with them!”
“Man, this is some bullshit!” I said as I got up and lit a cigarette.
“When I got the call I didn’t go that way! Um ducted off and bru they raided the fucking warehouses, the logistics spot, and that white boy Paul is shaking like a dog shittin cinnamon seeds!” Said Chi-Chi.
“I haven’t been there at none of the spots lately to supervise or oversee daily operations, so I wasn’t.”
Had a shipment come in and stored there at the warehouse or had some left out by transactions to other suppliers & distributors. By now I was getting so much work that there was never a drought and so much money! Cash that I had apartments and houses that I used the bedrooms to just store money! Throwing it in there by the luggage and duffel bags like Frank Matthews in the early ’70s! After having that conversation with Chi-Chi, I was partially shook, but I won’t bend or break so I got back in tune with the matter at hand.
“Where can I find his folks!?” I asked.
“His immediate family, all of them are in witness protection!” said Renaldo.
My wheels are turning in my head like a slot machine. I want to get to Carlos's bitch ass so bad, but we don’t know where to find him. We heard he was back on his feet down in Mexico, but that would be almost suicide unless somebody who knows the lay of the land and is trustworthy kind of lead us to him.
“What’s up Renaldo? I know you got some soldiers here and down there.
“What you wanna do? You got to keep them wolves eatin!” I said.
Renaldo looked at me with contempt in his eyes as if I was challenging his gansta which I was.
Even though he burst his gun that night at the condos. His base of operations is in Oaxaca, Mexico where he lay his head…
“I don’t know, but that’s where he operates!” Said Renaldo answering the challenge.
Brooklyn, New York
10:30 AM
John-John and Big Lo were chilling at one of Big Lo’s spots discussing what to do.
“So, wassup? You think Antonio knows that we was trying to knock him off? Asked Jon-Jon.
“Look, young nigga after all that carnage them niggas left behind. Hell yeah, he knows and you can bet somebody out yo crew got tortured probably. Then that nigga done put 2 and 2 together when they smoked them twins and the other nigga in the hotel!” Said, Big Lo.
“Not necessarily, it could’ve been a robbery gone bad for all he knows!” Said Jon-Jon.
“Bru…I know you’re sharp! I know you seen the news and that internet shit! The report of one of your crew members being kidnapped outside of the Vagabond by some niggaz. The same hotel where 3 people out of your crew just got smoked when they went back to club LIV to pick up that dumb and stupid nigga Brainhead… I know how they get down and they now know you’re the enemy. Jon-Jon, out of this ordeal I’m the only one in the clear!” Said Big Lo proudly. At least that’s what he thought.
Man, the feds looking for them niggaz though. Heavy too, Jon-Jon had acknowledged this information before the media put it out there. The police, Miami homicide, and the feds pulled up on him at club LIV during his album release party. Asking him questions like did he know the victims in the hotel and their relation to him. They wanted to know did he know anything about the guy being kidnapped in the hotel parking lot. So, he knew the feds were looking for Antonio and Brainhead, but actually, the shit had gotten deeper than anybody knew…except the feds.
11:45 AM
Columbia, South Carolina
Front Office
“Now, misses George where did you first meet Mr. Antonio Deangelo?” Asked special agent Bruce Livingston from the Organized Crime Investigation Unit of the Southeastern District.
“On Facebook,” answered Kadia. The feds had followed and stopped Kadia the day she went to Atlanta to Antonio’s office questioning Antonio about the disappearance of her cousin Brad and his cousin. It didn’t take much effort on the feds part to turn Kadia into a rat because she already had that in mind!
“I think he was in prison at the time. You know how they have cell phones in prison. So, we kept in touch through Facebook then he got out we exchanged numbers and went from there.”
“When did the drugs come into the picture!” Asked agent Bruce Livingston.
“I don’t remember, but maybe 6 or 7 months after he had been out. He started asking questions about whether I knew anybody that was hustling and I told him about my cousin Brad hustling crack.”
“Ms. George, is this the cousin who has since come up missing?” asked agent Livingston.
“Yea, yea that’s the one. Him and his cousin and it’s all my fault!” cried Kadia. “If I wouldn’t have never hooked him up with Antonio he still would be living!”
Agent Livingston and another agent exchanged looks which meant press the gas. The other agent winked his eye at agent Livingston and went into bad cop mode.
“Listen Kadia, you need to tell any and every other thing you know because I don’t think you’re keeping it real with us. You did more than just hook them up.
You played the middle woman and the mule. Yes, you went to Atlanta more than once and trafficked drugs for your cousin and boyfriend.”
“He ain’t my boyfriend!” interrupted Kadia.
“You moved cocaine and heroin up and down interstate 95 for Antonio’s R.I.C.O organization!” Screamed agent Bad Cop as he jumped out of his seat. “On conspiracy to possess, supply and distribute cocaine & heroin those are your charges!”
“I only did it a couple of times!” Screamed Kadia out of frustration for incriminating herself at the same time.
“It doesn’t matter, you’re still facing a minimum of 10 years for one count of conspiracy!”
“10 years? I ain’t fucking did nothing!” Said Kadia.
“Maam, you just admitted to conspiracy to supplying and trafficking drugs!” Said the special agent.
He went and grabbed a law book off of a desk. It was a title 21 U.S.C.A. federal law book. He turned to the pages that showed sentencing and punishment. Key 3225 statutory section requiring the imposition of a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for those persons convicted of engaging and continuing criminal enterprise. (CCE) who are principal administrators, organizers of leaders of schemes that involve…
“Hell naw, shit I wasn’t involved in no organization!” Screamed Kadia.
“If you say you’ve moved drugs for Antonio one or more times darling you were playing the role of administrator because you oversaw….
“What do you want?” Said Kadia interrupting the bad cop.
“What we want is you to tell the truth about everything you know!” The few times you have moved for Antonio and his dealings with your cousin. Testify about what you told us and we’ll make sure you get a rule 5k1 in your situation.!”
“What’s that!” Asked Kadia.
As if on cue the good cop, special agent Livingston produced a form along with federal rules of court. The law book was turned to the section that displayed the rule 5K1.
As Kadia read it she thought of her missing cousins and the guilt she felt for introducing the two and she thought of her children. “Fuck, Antonio!” Said Kadia through tears as the good cop passed her some Kleenex and a pen.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(12:35 PM) Location: Federal Building
“So…., you’re telling me that you and Dee Bradford a star NFL receiver got some type of athlete involved point-shaving ring or something?” Asked federal agent Homer Atwater.
“Well, yes and no.” Answered Raquin. James Raquin was a 3-year starter for the Saints and a friend of Dee Bradford. Dee played for the Seahawks and he was a star receiver. The two go all the way back from little league to college football. They both played at Grambling, one as a receiver and the other as a defensive back.
They’re both c
lients at Deangelo’s sports agency. Antonio, basically let Dee’s mother recruit him to his sports agency as he was fucking her a lot. Antonio started meeting with her shortly after she recruited her son. He had to fuck her because she had a body that wouldn’t quit. She liked Antonio so much that she helped or was an accessory to violating NCAA ethical rules and laws. Antonio gave Dee a 2018 BMW M6 Convertible hardtop and through his mother, he had also given him a Camaro. Then he flew him to Atlanta and let him get VIP treatment at his strip club.
Furthermore, he chauffeured them around and put them in a couple of videos with Antonio and the crew. Of course, he had the mother super straight financially like the R. Kelly song “Step in the name of love”. Like he did it for love was how Antonio was playing the situation, but all the time his focus was on the son. To convince him to sign with his sports company. Pull some strings to get him drafted no later than the third round with millions added onto sure money with endorsements.
Dee brought his friend Raquin James in to sign with Deangelo Sports Agency and Antonio worked hard to negotiate good deals for both of them. Enter the Underground which was the shady side of the sports world that was known for bookies, point-shaving, and Vegas. At first, none of that was even on Antonio’s radar until his partner Jamey who ran his “slick pick ticket racket” out of his sports bar mentioned it in general.
Them Antonio thought about ex-bookies and mobsters that he did time within the federal penitentiary. All the cases he had studied in the law library and some of those were about sports gambling. A light bulb went off in his head and he thought about his white partner that he went to school and played football with was out in Vegas.
His partner Chauncey used to work in a casino and had ties to them and the bookies. Antonio flew out to Vegas and met with Chauncey, some bookies, and some mob dudes. The rest was history and all Antonio had to do now was turn some of his athletes into point shavers, etc. At that moment Antonio only had 2 athletes that were football players. Now Dee had a little street in him, but his partner Raquin had a lot of street in him or so it seemed at that time. Antonio was a good judge of character and had keen instincts. So, he knew Raquin had some sheisty-shit in him, but greed took over and Antonio put him up on a task.
After their rookie season, Antonio started cutting into both of them about the art of point shaving. Antonio had already built a good relationship with them to the point that they would listen to him not just out of respect but what he stood for which were loyalty, love, respect, and getting lots of money. Not to mention they liked his style because he vibed and kicked it with them as if he were their age.
When the time or moment arrived, both of them were starters and had great seasons. They performed well in the playoffs and for all their great performances and statistics in games, there was also a clause in their contracts for bonuses, etc. However, Antonio was also given under-the-table bonuses like duffel bags stuffed with money just like back in the ’80s and ’90s. When the dope boys would pay some high school football players for their performances. For example, a $100 bill for every tackle, interception, or touchdown. Now, it was used for buttering them up. The game had escalated, and Antonio was on some mob shit.
He explained to them that they had an impact on the way a game turned out. Being impact players, especially Dee, he asked them did they know anything about Vegas gambling that spread worldwide. Sports gambling that was somehow connected to Vegas and Antonio explained all they didn’t know like point spreads, over and under, and if it’s controlled a little or a lot. A lot of big money exchanged hands in favor of the winner. Antonio laid it on smoothly as to how a player is conscious of this and becomes part of the scheme. Behind the scenes, he could reap a handsome harvest under the table after every game.
“Bru, I don’t know. It sounds like I’ll be selling my soul. That’s mob-connected ain’t it?” Said Dee.
“Fuck, the mob. You must don’t know who you down with!” Said Antonio. “I got this, they’ll only be dealing with me and my people and I’ll deal with y’all. If anything, any kind of threat I catch wind of I’ll deal with it in a swift manner. They get eliminated asap ya dig?” Said Antonio.
The 2 football players were still slow to give an answer to the indecent proposal.
“I’ll tell you what, whenever ya’ll make up your mind up let me know what you think.” Said Antonio.
“What I’ll get? Asked Raquin.
Antonio broke it down to him. “You’re a lockdown cornerback. Passes that you can normally break up let them go in certain situations that is.”
“Situations like what?” Asked Dee now highly interested.
“Say the point spread on the game is 6 or 7. Seattle, you all are favored to win without the points ya’ll are giving them away. Antonio went in-depth explaining and they got the picture on what to do and how and what their payments would be for shaving points or throwing a game. After their second season, they were recruiting some more NFL players, NBA players, and a couple of college football players. One of Raquin's little cousins had got caught up in some dope cases and couldn’t stand the pressure and flipped on Raquin. Raquin was telling who the real boss in the whole scheme.
“You’re fucking agent?” Asked the federal agent Atwater.
“Yes, my agent just like I told you. He came to us in the beginning with the idea and he paid us in cash and sometimes gifts.”
“Such as!” Asked agent Atwater.
“Big homes, some we never stay in or we might give them to family members, or we would sell them! Most of the homes were owned by my agent’s real estate company.”
“This got agent Atwater’s attention for sure now. He would love to get the IRS involved in tax evasion and forfeiture case against a sleazy agent. If Raquin is telling the truth. He didn’t have anything to do with drugs you and your crew was selling.
“Naw!” Answered Raquin.
“I told you his name is.”
“Hold it!” interrupted agent Atwater. “We’ll get to that in a minute.” “Let’s get back to your agent. “Are you willing to testify in trial or before a grand jury to what you told me so far?
“Yeah!” Said Raquin thinking about the disgrace he would put himself through by ratting and he’s thinking about his career and family.
“Okay, what’s your agent’s name and the name of his agency?
“The name of the agency is Deangelo’s Sports Management and my agent’s name is Antonio Deangelo!”
Agent Atwater immediately googled the sports company. “The owner and CEO of this agency looks familiar.”
“He’s a record label owner also!” Said Raquin.
The detective googled Antonio and read about him. He put him in their database and was astounded by what he was reading.
“Damn, this guy is already a wanted man. He’s some kind of drug kingpin. Been to prison for murder and federal drug charges and they’re looking for him in connection with murder and drugs.” With that information, agent Atwater got on the phone and called the FBI office in Atlanta, GA. “This motherfucker’s a big fish!” Said agent Atwater in his Louisiana twang.
Chapter 31
7 Days Later
9:45 AM
Florence, Colorado
Florence ADX-Supermax
U.S.P.
“You’re one lucky muthafucker, Abregado!” Said one of the correctional officers. Referring to the latest developments in Garcia’s appeal of his form 2255 federal habeas corpus. He had finally prevailed and received a new trial in his case. He was being led to the receiving and departure area in the prison to be flown back to Texas for a new trial.
“I wouldn’t call it luck!” Said Garcia. “It’s a blessing! I was dealt a great injustice by the U.S. government!”
“Ha, ha!” Laughed at the C.Os. “Great injustice? You’re a top-notch cartel leader! They got you just right. I don’t see how in the hell you got a new trial!”
Garcia just smiled at the comment. He knew his attorney would work
things out. He also knew that he could depend on his faithful and loyal friend Antonio to keep the government’s main witness Carlos Desendez from showing up to the trial. He had heard about all the chaos Antonio was facing. He had made a vow to himself to stand with Antonio. Through the madness and help him with all his might and power. Also, he had made a vow himself to avenge the deaths of his baby sister Conswela, his niece, and his aunts.
During the government’s appeal which was really a time delaying tactic. Besides the issues, they had already raised against Garcia. They inserted facts from their star witness on the run from the witness protection program and asked that the courts at least put the retrial on hold until they captured Carlos.
Also, they made claims of witness tampering stating that Garcia had Carlos’ son murdered. In an attempt at intimidation and he had hitmen looking for Carlos at that present moment. To no avail, that issue was lost, because it was without merit or proof. True, when Jr was murdered there was the voice of a black man issuing a warning telling him not to show back up in court. But it wasn’t enough because there was no evidence it was from Garcia, just an assumption.
“You all have a nice life!” Said Garcia to the CO in the receiving and departure area.
“You’ll be back!” Said one of the CO’s as Garcia was led to the waiting airplane.
Oaxaca, Mexico
“When is this bitch going to surface?” I whispered to Renaldo.
“I don’t know!” Said Renaldo.
We were laying in wait close but at a safe distance from one of Carlos’ spots. We had been in Oaxaco, Mexico for a week now looking for Carlos. At first, it seemed as if we were on a witch hunt but thank god for the power of the almighty dollar. Renaldo had some of his people infiltrate Carlos’ new organization and learned some valuable information. Carlos had this spot where he would meet with a few of his men and local drug dealers. They would play poker into the wee hours of the morning. We weren’t sure if Carlos was actually in the poker house, but from the info, we had received he goes to the house every night. A black Suburban pulls up and the driver and passenger get out. Both of them are armed with assault rifles and the driver walks towards the rear of the truck and the passenger walks towards the front of the truck. They’re both doing a recon of the area around the side of the house and looking across the street at the other houses.