Locked In with Ian Bick - Gang Member Reveals the Harsh Reality of Gang Life and Why It’s So Hard to Leave | Maxwell Wilson

Episode Date: December 22, 2024

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Schedule your consultation today. And don't just take our word for it. Check out the transformations on Instagram at SoCal Plastic Surgeon or visit SoCal Plastic Surgeons.com. Confidence looks good on you. Max, welcome to Lockton, man, here today from New Jersey. Welcome to the studio. Thank you.

Thank you for having me. It's a beautiful studio. Well, studios. Thank you, Ben. Have you been listening to show at all? I have. I don't catch every episode. I do watch clips.

Of course, I Googled you. The first time I Googled you was when my boy, Arms actually told me about you. And then I'm like, all right, let me Google him. And then I believe it was yesterday. So let me go back and read about this guy again. You know, you got an interesting story. I know probably a million people ask you the same questions. and I'm like, you're a genius.

I don't know about genius, but thank you, Ben. You're a genius because to actually manage a nightclub and, you know, go through the experience of being incarcerated and what you were incarcerated for. A lot of people wish they could actually successfully attain finances in large quantities. I've always been resourceful. It's all about, you know, like when you get knocked down, you get back up and it's a journey.

It's been an incredible journey and I'm lucky to be doing this. I never thought I'd be here, but I'm very lucky. It's not luck. It's all part of God's plan. It's like manifestation. You don't even, you know, sometimes it's never what we want to do. It's what God wants us to do and when he wants us to do it. So, you know, we both got put in situations where a lot of people probably don't ever come back out of or.

or regroup from, you know, PTSD comes from that situation. Yeah, and a lot of people are afraid to talk about that and address that, which is why, you know, this is a safe place to do all of that. Right. I do have some questions for you. All right. What do you got? Because, you know, I didn't know what facility you were at when you did your, you did three, right?

Yeah. So when you did your three years, what facility were you at? I was in the federal system. So I was in a few places. I was in Fort Dix in New Jersey. Okay. I was in Brooklyn, Philadelphia. I was in Danbury.

I was in Chicago, and I finished a year at the camp in Wisconsin. So they just moved you around. Yeah, they put me through diesel therapy. It's annoying. They just wake you up one morning until you're leaving. Yeah, but it was a great experience because then I had the stories to help build this platform. Right. If all of that, what at the time felt was misery, if I didn't experience that, we wouldn't be here right now.

Absolutely. Because that's what makes it unique. And which was the worst facility you were at? Probably like those detention centers like Brooklyn or Philly or any of those because it's just, you know, you're locked in your cell a lot. There's not much movement. You're in a pod. It's not a great place to be. That's like doing real time.

Hard time. So you have to start off through Big Sandy? No, I never went to big. That's a USP. Yeah. Did you do fat time or state time? I did Allstate. Allstate.

I've been almost every correctional facility or prison, whatever they want to call it, in the state of New Jersey. Really? Wow. You got a medal for that? That shit is corny, not to brag about. I did three incarcerations. Did you grow up in New Jersey? Yes, majority of my life.

Where'd you grow up? In Tineck. Oh, right where you live now. Yeah. So I was born in the Bronx. Then I went to Tienk. Then I lived in an island. I lived in Antigua twice.

Oh, wow. So one time I lived in Antigua when I was a little kid. Then when I was in high school, I was getting in so much trouble. My parents, like, you keep going back and forth between Jersey and New York. That's not helping. Let's send you to the islands. So I went to the islands for two years. That seems a drastic measure.

Yeah, like, I was really like, I still have a temper problem. but I more so know how to deal with it now so I isolate myself sometimes I go quiet sometimes it's hard but I walk away you know but as a child it's like you can do more things and get away with it and I'm grown now if you do anything wrong

it's like it's going to come with some type of price whether it be jail or really like finance some type of finance so I try to just just like leave shit alone now. What was schooling like on the island? Very strict. So today's Friday.

So Monday through Thursday, we would have to wear khaki-colored pants, black shoes, and like a white button-up shirt. And on Fridays, you'd have to wear black pants, a white shirt, and black shoes. If you ever thought about wearing a different color shoes or black shoes with any other color in it, So, you know, like, how they show on the TV, like, people getting paddled. He was getting that. I went to school late one day, and they closed the front gate. So there's like a gate to get into front door to get into the school. So once the gate closes, of course, someone has to come to open it.

So there was literally, like, a line of us that were late. And then one person would get let in, you would go into what they would call the headmaster, which is the principal's office, and you get paddled. And the paddle that I got hit with was like, it was like this thing. And I'm like, they're telling you to like, you have to hold the table.

I'm like, yo, I'm really getting paddled. Like, this shit does not happen in the United States. Like, and I was like kind of, at that point, I was kind of mad at my parents. I'm like, I'm late by like five minutes at the most. And I'm getting paddled before class. Then I have to go. sit down on a chair that you just wop my ass on.

So it hurts like and I'm like, wow, but they're very strict. Every morning the whole school prayed together. And someone would read like a scripture. And everything was just very, very disciplined, very on point. Like the schooling in Antigua is different from America because you can do what you want out here really. wear what you want. You got freedom of speech.

You're not doing all that over it. You know what I'm saying? You're going to get whooped. Do anything wrong you're getting whooped. That's the answer to everything. And so did your parents relocate their whole lives to the Highlands, too? Oh, no. They sent me.

So they stayed here and sent you. I was living with my aunt. Wow. Yeah, they like, so I'm the first generation born in America. My mother and father, they're Guyanese. so which is Diana is the only English-speaking country

in South America located between Venezuela and Suriname everybody else speaks Spanish so my parents came out here to America lived in New York

that's where I was born in New York didn't know from apartment they got a house in Jersey and that's all she wrote so was it hard to be

away from them at that age no no not at all because I was like 14 or 15. I was already like set in my ways, for lack of better terms. I know everything I was doing. Like, all right, cool.

I talked to my mom. She came to see me, if not once, twice, when I was living out there. Now, me and my dad don't have a good relationship, so we ain't ever talk anyway. It's got to be hard to be ripped away from your friends, though. That's what hurt. In the teenage years? like that's what hurt. So this is what's crazy.

Love is crazy. So I had a girlfriend, my first love at the time. So you know what they say? If like, if some, like, what is it? If you break up with someone and then I get back together, it's meant to be whatever the situation may be, I'll never forget, like, when I found out that I was leaving. Like, I found out, I want to say I found out, like,

the day after 9-11, that I was leaving. Like, my parents are like, you're going to the islands. We bought your ticket already. Pack your shit. So I told my girlfriend, and she's, like, crying hysterically, like, crying and crying. And I'm like, I got to be the man. I want to cry, but she hurt me, like, I'm in love.

So I left. I wrote her. She wrote me. We emailed, you know, spoke online. Then when I came back, she was like, um, Like, I kind of talk to somebody, but we're not, like, on great terms. And I'm like, yo, it's cool, whatever. Next thing you know, we go back together.

So I guess it was meant. But we dealt with each other at, let's say, from, like, 2001 to, like, 2008 off and on, first love. And, like, I hang up with her brother still, so it's like, you know. My first love hits the artist. Does it? That's why I started writing poems. Really? My first poem I ever wrote, it's kind of like dedicated to her, I guess, or because of her.

I don't think anyone forgets, like, that first love. Which, looking back on it, who knows if it's even loved, but that first feeling for someone. Yeah. So I think she's kind of like the reason that I write poetry. That's awesome. So do you think if you went to those schools on the island, you know, at a younger age, that would have helped you a little bit? more development-wise? Yes.

I would have made a lot of, I would definitely have different choices. So I think I would have furthered my education. I think I would have been more of a successful person like in life. I don't think I would have went to jail several times, you know. So if I would have not even stay, yeah, if I went younger. So like let's just say from like around seventh gradeish and stayed there, a lot of things would have been different. Do you guys think you know about sports? Turn your knowledge into cash with prize picks the easiest and most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports.

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Prize picks, run your game. Hope you guys enjoy using prize picks. Now let's get back into today's episode. When do you get back to America? So I left 2001, like right after the towers fell, and I came back 2003, June. Was it the world very different from how you left it? Yes, because I came back with, like, an accent, you know, and of course, as time changes, a lot of things change, whether it be, like, the way people dress, lingo.

So I came back, I was kind of, like, lost for a little bit. I'm just looking around. I was confused. I was like, it's kind of like when you come home from jail and you're just looking at everybody, like, what's going on? Like, what are they thinking about? Do they, is there ulterior motive, like, things of that. So it's kind of, it's kind of weird at first. But, you know, you have to adapt as a person, as a man,

whatever you have to adapt to in your environment and keep moving. Do you think being ripped away from, like, your environment at that age had an effect on you, too? Not really. I just felt like being ripped away. It was like I can be ripped away from anything. And you just got to go with the flow. It doesn't even hurt no more. It did hurt.

Because I was young and in love, but it's like anything else is like, it's like me going to jail. I got kidnapped and no one cared. Like, I was ripped away from freedom from society. And my first bit, I had to do four years. And I'm like, it was 23 years old. Yeah, it was 20. Literally just turned 23, fighting my case for two, two and a half years. So you got charged at 21 or at 23rd?

I got charged at 20. I got charged at 21 and convicted at 23. So do you ever end up going to college when you get back? Do you graduate high school? So what happened is I came back and I was going to culinary school because I still love to cook. But I was going to the Art Institute. It used to be called the New York Restaurant School in Manhattan. My dad went there.

Really? Yeah. Look at life. Wow. So I used to have to get up at like five in the morning to commute, take the bus and the train to get to school. I'm like, I can't keep doing this. I'm like, man. So I'm like, let me try another way.

So I moved to Brooklyn with my aunt. I'm like, cool. My aunt lives in Brooklyn. School is on the border line of Manhattan, Brooklyn. I can take the train, be there. No time. So the regime that I'm a part of, the organization, the area where my aunt lived,

I was not welcome there. So it was a lot of turmoil. Me being in Brooklyn in a certain area, and it's like I'm wearing certain colors, and it's like it's a no-go. So I said, you know, I'm coming back to Jersey because, you know, I'm 17 at the time. I'm going to college.

I'm on some bullshit. They try to shoot at, not even try, they shot at me out there. Just come back to Jersey. Came back to Jersey. I say, I'm not going to keep commuting back and forth to go to college. Fuck college.

I'm in the streets. I'm going to get some money. So I didn't go to school for a while. It took me to get incarcerated to come home. Then I went to local community college. And right when I was supposed to graduate, my last semester, get locked back up again. So when do you start getting affiliated with like street type of stuff? Was that before?

Before I even got shipped out. So that's a real reason why they shipped you out. I was already on bullshit. I don't think they fully knew. they probably suspected it. You know, I know my mom and dad said it separately. They asked me a question. Like, someone in the street said,

your son is this. I don't know what they're talking about. But at this big age, it's like you Google my name, all that shit comes up. It's like, it's no hiding it. It's no denying. Shit is tattered up on my arm and everything.

Like, so it's like, it is what it is. Why do you get involved with that? So when I was younger, like I said, I don't have a good relationship with my father. So as I'm older now, I want to say I did it when I was so young because I was looking for family, like, a sense of belonging because I didn't have the relationship with my father. But I'm so, like, in deep, it's like, it is what it is, like, you know.

And literally right up the block from where I live, it's people on the other side, Like, they're not even, so we laugh and we juggle us. They're like, oh, why you ain't just be what, you know what I mean? So at one point, like the masses were the other part. And now here I am. So kind of like peer pressured into it? No, I was never peer pressured. I was never like one of those kids who'll be like, oh, my whole neighborhood is this.

So this is why it's that. No. No. I mean, I lived being back and forth from New York, it's like people I was around out there, that's what they were. But they never pressed me. The first time I said something to them, they like, the same for you. They like, shunned me, like push me out. Like, nah.

But then, you know, they started, they started like hearing and seeing what I was into. They're like, yeah, you might as well just see, you know. When you look back on it now, does it seem silly to you? Like all of that? The street life, you know, having the tax. tattoo of it, anything like that? I think, I don't think having the tattoo is a bad choice. I think that shows quote unquote loyalty.

I think it shows love, you know, for what you are and who you are. But I could have been well without it. Like, I didn't need to join again. I didn't have to. You know, it brought me more trouble than it brought, I'm saying.

I think if I wasn't a part of gang, my first incarceration would have never happened, you know? So I'll tread lightly on my first incarceration. I was at the bar chilling with my friends.

None of them are in the gang. Probably one of them that we had the bar chilling with. It was a Thursday. I'll never forget because Thursday they had 10th and wings at the time.

cool it's 2007 10-7 wings were crazy um i get a phone call like yo where you at i'm like i'm at the bar it was good nah i'm walking with my wife and these guys are being disrespectful to me and you know i just got off the bus and she's pregnant i'm like what i'm like yeah i'm like where you at and he was literally like probably five blocks away i'm like i bet so you know what we're pulling up So he stayed in the area. His wife walked home. And as soon as we pulled up, it was like no talk. Like, these are them like there?

You know, it was a brawl. But the way that the people who got, went to the hospital, like, my side was victorious. You just clarify that. Like, you know. The way they made it seem was like we were the aggressors in which I always tell people every action has an equal or greater reaction had you guys not been just first of all you were dispecking a woman

on top of you're disrespecting a woman you're disrespecting one of my homies girlfriend at the time and she's pregnant three that's three strikes all right there so when you know they get at the hospital whatever they tell a police report whatever you know we come to find out who told who made statements all that you guys never said you guys started the problem you feel me Y'all just went to say, oh, y'all saw me pick up a bottle. It was recycling day, too. You know, I'm probably like 200 now. At the time, I'm probably like 150 soaking wet, picked up a bottle, hit somebody in the head with it,

broken on the curb. I started trying to go to work, you know, I end up in jail. But had I not been a part of the organization I'm part of, that person would have never called me because it was like due to, my loyalty, we're part of the same regime, you call me, I'm coming. So if I wasn't a part of that, I would never call you. I mean, you'd never called me. I would have never came there.

No one would have got injured. I would never went to jail. And that put, that was a lot of money. At the time, that's when we had bills in New Jersey. So my first bill was $75,000 for aggravated assault, possession of an unlawful weapon, use of an unlawful weapon. The weapon was a bottle, but whatever. and then my lawyer, rest of peace to Frank Luciano,

that was like one of the best lawyers in Bergen County, he was like 15,000. Then I'm out on bail. Then I catch a gang charge. Like they did a sweep and they try to make it seem like a lot of people like were part of the gang and they wasn't, they were either just friends or some people we didn't even know.

They just made it look good in the papers and everything. Boom. Now I catch another charge. I would definitely go to jail. now had to pay another bill that was 25,000 add more to the lawyer because he got to do two cases I'm like oh man this sucks that's crazy sucks I mean a lot of people get wrapped up and you know especially young people because they're related to gangs and they're in environments that they never should have been in because of their association guilty by association is crazy

So when you got wrapped up that second time after you were out on bail, do they give you a bail for that one? Yeah, I had to. So it was 75 for the first, 25 for the second. Oh, they still give you, wow, I'm surprised. Yeah. So. They didn't consider that a violation of the first one? No, part bail.

And I was still going to work, though. I had a job. I always, my whole life, I always had a job. No matter what I'm doing, I always have a job. And no matter what I do the night before, I always get up and take my ass to work. What were you working back then? I was working at a locksmith company, a nationwide locksmith company. So I was just doing data entry first.

People called, you know, I'm locked out of my car, locked out of my house, locked out of my business, need my locks re-keyed, whatever. I was there for like two and a half years. But I grew within the business. a goof for mom, you know, taking the entry, taking people's information to dispatching, to the complaint department. And that's what, like, I think that's what sharpened me.

Because I'm literally conversing with people like, yo, your locksmith came and messed up my door. My door cost $30,000. My door costs $30,000. Get the fuck out of here. Then I'm like, they're sending pictures. I'm like, damn, that's a nice door. And it's like a house.

I'm like, Beverly. Hills or a house like in like a prestigious area. I'm like, damn, that door really caused $30,000. So I'm really getting cursed out. But they're being so, they're not using profanity. They're using these big words. And I'm sitting there. And this is at the time, I don't have.

iPhones were there, but they weren't the thing. I had a Blackberry. So, you know, I'm online. I'm trying to look up definitions. What the fuck are they saying to me? So, you know, I sharpened my customer service skills. It was a great experience. You've probably seen some really funny things working at that job.

Did I? Literally, someone's been locked out naked. All types of shit goes on. Like, you feel me? Like, guys trying to get their stuff thrown out from their girlfriend's houses, and they're just trying to get in. But they're, like, their ID in order for us, well, not us, but order for a locksmith, a technician, to let you in the,

house, your ID has to match that address. So you're telling me this is your house, but it's really your girlfriend's house. You may live with her, but we can't let you in there, especially if we let you in there and you go do some bullshit, like damage her property, beat, rape, kill, whatever, that's on us. So I don't, I don't see it. I don't see a lot. How did your parents react to that first arrest?

Honestly. My mom? he's a gangster. Like, I love my mom. Like, I, like, everyone who knows me and there's people,

I don't want to say they're envious, but they'd be like, I love you in your mother's relationship. So it was like, she was like, gotta go do your time. My dad was just like,

I told you about hanging out. I don't even talk to you. So I don't care what the fuck you're telling me, honestly. Like, you know what I'm saying? Your, your words of wisdom,

your, whatever you want to call it, null avoid. You know. Do you wish your mom was a little bit harder on you and less laid back about it? I mean, it was nothing she could do. I already got locked up. So it was like her being hard wouldn't help the situation because it would just make me shut down. And, you know, it's cool.

So what happens with those two cases? Do they combine them together? How do you? So they got run concurrent. The drug charge. the sweep with the drug charge I want to say they gave me I think it was 12 months

and then my aggravated assault it was four with the 85 so I did 41 months and then came home for like two months caught a violation police contact

possession of marijuana went back into like 10 months. Wow. And that's all in New York, I mean, New Jersey State Prison. So where do they send you that first one? And was that a plea deal that you copped out to? So, yeah, I copped out to the forward at 85.

I didn't want to go to trial. My co-defendant could have went to trial and smoked him. But he would have won and I would have lost. So he took three years. So I wouldn't have. have to do 10. So, you know, people get on here on social media and they're so envious of all these people or glorify.

They do this dumb shit, but my right-hand man, Ali Moe, he did the stand-up thing. Like, you're like, yo, I'm just taking three flats, so you ain't got to go do 10. All right, better. I'm a cop out to this four to 85. You know what I'm saying? And we came home around the same time because they maxed him out because he was part of that, the drug sweep too. So he came, I came home April 11th, 2013.

And he came home around the same time. So where do they send you that first bid? I went to Albert C. Wagner. It's located in Bortontown, New Jersey. They call it Boardingtown, BT, Gladiere School. So it was a youth correctional facility. It shut down now, though. Youth, you were only in your 20.

Yeah, but it's from, at the time, I think it was from 18 to 27 or something like that. Gotcha. But a lot of gang activity in there. That was a blood jail. So they actually classify it by gangs, like which gang you're a part of and they send you in there? They don't really, when I got there my first day for orientation, he said, my name is Sergeant, I don't give a damn. don't confuse me for my brother Sergeant I don't give a shit

But my other brother Sergeant I don't give a fuck Ask me something I won't give a damn Tell me something I don't give a shit You want to go to another jail

I don't give a fuck He said this is what I'm going to tell you He said this is a whole group of us Just came off the bus You know you're coming off the bus He's like look If you told You might as well check him

if you're in a gang and they labeled you food you might as well check in if you have any sex charges you might as well check in and don't be tough because once you get behind them gates we can't help you and i'm paying attention what he say but i'm like fuck what you're talking about until that first code went off then i understood what the fuck he meant because the gates it's It's the gates and you're locked in there. And this is, there's still intake. But it's 30 beds on this side, 30 beds on that side. And it goes all the way down.

So you could literally be getting your ass whipped at the back. And all they're going to be screaming is, stop. Stop. Stop. We're going to mace. The mace can't make it all down there. The whole time they're getting, you know, the turtles. They're getting suited up and, you know, in riot gear to come in there.

but at the same time I guess due to their codes or policies they can't come in there it's like 60 of us you know after that it was like wow and that code was going off like they call it the gangster music that code go off you'll hear

it's like a sign of code 33 code 33 you feel me that that shit ring like I should ring at least when I first got down there at least probably like 10 times a day and when the side hits at least 25 times a day.

You know, people getting aggravated. The heat may get people all antsy and stuff. It was ringing. What was the moment in your time, that first bid that you'll never forget? I think I seen, when I seen somebody gets sliced in front of the police, like we want to walk. We walk into the mess hall. And I don't know why he sliced him, but he's walking.

And boom, post. As soon as he sliced them, police, seen all the blood, tackled the person that got cut and tackled the son that cut him. It was like a Mexican guy sliced a black dude. I don't know what happened. Never forget that shit. I was like,

literally my second day there. I'm never going to forget that. Now, when the correctional officers are, you know, on your first day in orientation, saying how they don't care, and this is like a gladiator school, essentially, do you think that condones violence in a way? Yeah, a little bit.

But at the same time, I think they're trying to, like, quote unquote, scare you. And at that point, it's a separation point. It's going to separate the men from the boys. Because, of course, there were people who, you know, had a sex charge or, you know, told or whatever. And they didn't want to check in because of private. or whatever. But then when they get to after orientation or even orientation, when you get to that tier,

and then it's always somebody who knows you like, yo, ain't that such and such that killed such and such brother or, you know, X, Y, Z's like, I bet. As soon as you go to sleep, it's over. Like, you feel me? And then I don't see people get locked at a sock before. Like, imagine, locked your sock in your sleep. Like, it's crissue.

Like you're winking up to get your ass whooped and it's just, oh, man. And that would happen just right in your cell or nearby? So I did the dorms for majority of my bed. I got kicked off the dorm one time because they said I was extorting people. I'm like, man, I'm like, I'm 5'4, I'm not extorting nobody. So a sergeant of LTE like, you, we don't see 30,000 of people just like, We don't care your size. We know you're in a game.

You're packing up and you're getting the fuck off this tear. But I was never extorting people. I had a store. And I'm like, yo, look all these fucking money orders I'm getting. Like, are you, fuck? I went to the sales. And the COC me, like, I think it was two days later because it was two days off. Like, what the fuck are you doing over here?

I'm like, yo, they kicked me off an F wing. He's like, wow. I said, yo, they said I was extorting people because I had too much food and shit. He said, yo, I'm going to get you some bags. I'm making a call. You're getting a fuck off this tear. You don't belong over here. I went back to the doors.

She's wicked. Wow. The store thing, it's funny how so many guys use that as a hustle and they're able to build from nothing. Because it's kind of a hard business to establish on your own if you haven't been there for a while. Was that early on in your bid or did someone, did you inherit that? And as soon as I scope the scene and I see it like, you know, there's, you know, people get state pay. And state pay gets like, you get it like once a month. I think it drops on an account on a 15th somewhere around there.

So it took me while I just had to pay attention to like who orders every canteen, which is biweekly or who orders once a month, what's in high demand, you know. It's regular. It's just like the street. So it's like there are people who are drug dealers because they can only sell drugs. But there are people who are hustlers that no matter. where you put them, no matter what type of product they have, they're going to always be able to sell something and make money. And I'm a hustler.

I can get my ass up and go punch a clock, and I can get up and go punch the block. So once I figured it out, I just jumped in. I'm like, yo, start telling people in my immediate pod, like, yo, I got this for sale, honey buns, soups, rice, tuna, mac. And then now it's like, I don't even really have to order because now I'm doubling up and I'm saving the money that is being sent to me

from my support system. Yeah, the concept of the store has the same clientele as like a drug dealer. You're looking for people that need something but they don't really have that much money. They have to get their fix in and they're just scraping by week after week with their paychecks with it's always, you know,

down to the wire. Absolutely. I was just, so I came home for my last bid April 22nd this year. I came home from the halfway house But before I even went to the halfway house I was in the county for 10 months Because I was on the run for 13 months

So case is over And parole is almost over I probably got like a month of parole left As we speak So I was on the run for a shooting A woman that I was dealing with She was my girlfriend

at the time her child's father tried to spit on me never had words with him don't care for nothing about the guy he had his daughter in his hand and tried to spit on me so I you know and this was in front of the police station so I'm like

yo bro put your daughter down we're going to get busy it's not putting his daughter down I'm like yo come on so I'm like yo I'm getting mad and I jumped out the car and anything so he's like yo come to my house. I don't know where the fuck you live at.

Like, I'm not a stalker. So he lived literally probably two blocks at the most away from the police station. So as soon as he put his daughter down and was away, like put her in the house and was away, I try to put him on a T-shirt

because that's a bodily fluid. That is one of the biggest signs of disrespect So once again, every action has an equal or greater reaction. You try to spit on me. I gave you the option, let's fight. You didn't want that option. So now I'm going to the furthest extent

because there's nobody going to say, oh, I did this to Ms. Wilson's son, and I got away with it because then other people are going to think it's okay to do something and get away with it. No, we ain't doing that. I'm not doing that. So he told the police that everything that transpired, So they went looking for me.

I knew they were looking for me. I took my talents to South Beach, like LeBron. Fast forward, I get locked up. I'm in the county. I'm going back and forth to court. They're offering me like seven years with a mandatory 42-month minimum for the gun.

Because when I initially, my first charge was violation of parole, well probation, possession of an unlawful weapon, and aggravated assault. Aggraved assault. He didn't get shot, and he couldn't find a weapon. So there's something called a Graves Act,

which is pertaining to the gun, which they never had. So that got dropped. Shout out to the lawyers, too. They did their thing. I end up coping out to three years maximum, one year minimum. And I ended up doing 19 months. Like I said, parole is about to be over. But going back and forth to court,

I got the evidence. They're pulling ring cameras trying to make a video, you know. They don't see me on camera. They don't see a gun. They don't see nothing. But what really hurt me with this case is? And it's the least amount of time I ever did in my life, this little 19 months. Dude, his girlfriend, not his baby mother, his girlfriend, made a statement and said,

she saw me shoot at him. And she was never there. because one thing about me is women and children are always excluded and it just hurt like why would you want to jump in something that has nothing to do with you? But you lied.

Like, you lied. So you helped send me to jail. Up to today they have no evidence of anything. But I can't get that time back as over. How did they catch you on the run when you went on the run left? So I'm getting off of the highway. It's probably like no bullshit.

it could be like five in the morning. I'm coming from the club. A deer jumps out. And I'm in the Mayback at the time, too. I mean, my boy's Mayback. A deer jumps out. I swear, boom. I hit the curb.

Pulling my swear. I'll say, yo, let me get up out of here. I'm going to check the front when I get to where we got to go. So on the Mayback, it starts the dash was turned red, and it starts to disable because there's front end damage. So no bullshit. It starts slowing down. I'm like, fuck.

It starts slowing down. It cuts off. Do you know the police? The police pulled up. I shoot them the fake ID. Cool. They helped me. You're not going to believe this.

They helped me push the car like off the main road like onto a side block, right? So now sitting there. I'm waiting for my brother to come and get me. The police left already. They come back like 10 cars deep. And once I seen them coming and they turn the corner, I could have ran in everything. I'm like...

How'd they figure out was you? I guess whatever the info I gave them, I guess they went to the police station and did the report or whatever they was doing. They came back. They came back. So look, but when they came back, they surrounded me, they was like, that's not you.

I'm like, yeah, it is. They're like, okay. They like, you want to tell us who you are? I'm like, why are you so close to me? I see when the cops pulling up the cups, I'm like, yeah, I'm going to jail. I'm looking at my people's that I'm with. They cuff me.

It's like, you're in cuffs now. You might as well tell you you are. I said, no, when you get to the station, you'll find out, get the stationing, fingerprint me. We've been looking for you. Yeah, I know. 13 months. Congratulations.

And you didn't even get that crazy amount of time, even for going on the run. Didn't get no. Because it's not like I went on the run and caught a new charge. It's just like I just went on the run because I was already on papers anyway. So my appeal at the time, she was, as soon as it happened, she called me like, I need you to report. Look at my phone. Blocked her. How do you need me to report for it?

You want to lock me up. I'm not stupid. Gingerbread, man. Catch me if you can. How long did this happen after you got out for those first couple bids? So I came home October 15, 2018, and then I caught the shoot in August, 2021. What were you doing in between those years? Working.

Normal job? But you were still affiliated with the gang? What's that like coming home for prison still having gang affiliations? It's not like, I don't even be with gang members. That's the crazy shit. It's just like when people see me, they're like, oh, this is what he is. They know, like, by the grace of God, hopefully I'll be 39 on November 11th. So it's like, ever since I was a child, it's like, he's this, you know.

And then there's times you may see me outside. I may hear a certain song and, you know, I may, you may, you may, you may, you may, you may, see me start doing whatever and then but you know I don't be around gang numbers like that like for what not it not even everyone's on the same like mental pages me like you know for one why do I want to be around dudes all day it's just in jail three times you know I did 41 months did 30 months did 19 months and I've been on a bracelet mad times like I don't don't want to be around guys that's really really like nah

It's not me. I like women. So, you know, and they call me charms. Charms? Yeah. Why did you get the name charms? I got some charismatic or something like that. You know, I'm a cool dude. You know, I'm outgoing.

Women love a cool outgoing, dude. You know, I'm intelligent from what they say. You know, I like to party. I like to eat. So I like to be around people with good vibes. Being around guys all day for what. So why even still rap? then at when you got out of prison why be associated because when i was just like and there are people

who quote unquote dropped their flag whatever that i mean from a from the time that i entered or whatever i already knew shit for life you know it's not like and it's it's i'm not a gangbanger i'm not outside spraying shit on walls. I'm not outside doing drive-bys, robbing people, not selling drugs. But I know what I signed up for. And I also know the good end. Well, not even the good. I just know the bad, you know.

So I know what comes with anything. Like, I know the consequences. So then by what you're saying, you're still technically actively a part of it? When you say actively. Well, I mean, you're saying you never leave. you're saying you knew what you signed up for, but you don't participate in the criminal aspect of it. I don't be doing, no.

I'll be chilling. But if someone asked if you were still affiliated, then you would say yes? Yeah, yeah. Why do you think that is? Why do you think you don't want to, like, renounce that and not be a part of it? The time I got in, the love I got.

You know, I let this. Through the gang, I met people that I really call my brothers, like, that I have so much love for, you know. Like, there's someone that I met in like 2007 because we're part of the same organization. It's like, fast forward, I end up in jail 2009. He's in the same jail. Then we both get out and we're still locked in.

Like, you feel me? Like, we hang out. We have motivational conversations and things of that nature. He don't do no street shit. He gets up and he's at work at 6 o'clock in the morning, you know, but you know what he's part of. So do you think that the word gang has the wrong meaning now? To certain people.

Like, because these kids, these kids, I have to say kids, they, they'll see somebody like, oh, what's up, gang? I've heard that. What's up gang? Like, in the dictionary, I think a gang is like two or more people with the same interest. That's not verbatim, but, you know, something along those lines. There are many gangs.

Every police department is a gang. Every law enforcement agency is a gang. Every whatever, you know. My gang is my podcast. Your gang is your podcast. That's how, if people want to be technical, because you're in BIC, and I know there's people who probably are behind the scenes

that are part of your story. that are part of seeing you flourish. That's a gang. I think it just has a negative connotation because no one's calling police departments, gangs, like, publicly. But they are, though. They definitely are, yeah. I think when they think gangs,

a lot like outlaw motorcycle clubs, which are kind of misunderstood too. The police do just the amount of bad as they do good. The bad just get swept under the rug or sometimes it's never seen. But there are some members of these gangs that do do bad. Absolutely. So what do you have to say about that?

What do you think about that? I'm not around them. I always try to alter people's negative thinking, you know, because I don't believe when I was extremely thinking negatively, people were there to help me alter my thinking. I always try to calm people down. I've been in situations where my boy, he's so established in life, wife, kid, house, all that. He had an issue with someone, and he called me like, yo, I need a gun. The fuck?

I don't got nothing for you. Like, I don't even own any guns. What are you talking about? And, like, he's sitting there, he was breaking down the whole situation to me. And I literally stayed on the phone with bro for, for like an hour. Like, calm him down and, you know, really explain the negative that he can get from a situation. And he brings it up all the time. He's like, yo, I could have been in jail, but you really stopped that.

Is that mindset something you developed on your own or something you've, you know, taken from other people? Both. Both because every day as I grow, I learn stuff from other people and I try to incorporate not only into my life, but other people lives as well. I don't want to see nobody go to jail. I don't want to see nobody die. Like, you go to jail, you're missing out on life, you know, your family, your friends, whatever. Like, I don't want to see nobody end up in situations where I was at before. It's corny.

Did being gaying affiliated in prison make your time worse for you? No. It could have. Once again, it put me in certain situations, but so I... So do you think, do you see yourself, like, say, 20,000? 30 years from now, still saying you're a part of that? Probably, no. Hell no.

Do you want to know what's crazy? Yeah. 20, 30 years from now, I see myself preaching. Why not do that now? So serious, because I'm still learning. Like, when I say learning, like, the Bible and everything, things of that nature. But I see myself preaching. I pray every day, at least two times a day.

I read my scriptures every day. You know, I got the app on the phone, pops up in the morning, then something pops up at lunch and it pops up at dinner. So three different prayers pop up a day. But soon. It could be sooner. Like I said, it's all part of God's plan. What do you think is holding you back the most right now?

Honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with my environment. I want to move, but I can't because parole. I don't even want to get paroled to Jersey. I just needed to get out of the area for one. For two, it's like, now I just landed a new job that I started on October 7th. And it's something that I really like. I'm doing, I'm dispatching. I'm the shipping dispatcher of a company.

And it's crazy because on hiring day, throwing out paperwork. And I knew, I didn't know it was going to come so quick. But she was like, her background check came back. And I'm like, so I'm just sitting there. like I'm like tapping my feet, my palms start itching. She was like, um, do you want to, like you don't have to, but do you want to speak about your last charge? Like, I'm like, damn, but she didn't even say all the dishes at the last charge. But the last charge, it doesn't come up as a shooting or anything.

It comes up as unlawful possession of a weapon. So I told her, I'm like, oh, man. I gave her a very dry, dumbed down story. And she was like, thank you for explaining. Like, I'm keeping you here regardless because I love your energy. I love the way you speak. I like your resume. So, you know, since October 7th, I've been here.

It hasn't been a month yet. I got the company phone. They called me at four in a company phone. They pay this. You know what I'm saying? They called me at four in the morning like a trucker. had something wrong with his route. So, you know.

Do you think that, you know, we were just discussing about 20, 30 years from now, you don't see yourself being a part of anything. Does that mentality change about loyalty? Does that change over time? Because you said that's one reason why you wouldn't want to leave because that's what you signed up for. Lurity and love. I think you could still be loyal indirectly. so I can see people and help them, but to a certain extent, whether I help them mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially,

but as far as conversing with anything that has to do with, that don't talk to me. I don't want to hear anything that's incriminating, anything that's indictable. No, I'm good. So do you think that, essentially? Now just put the target on your back even though you're not doing anything wrong? Absolutely. Like, you know, when you get pulled over, that shit comes up.

A lot of shit comes up. When they run your name, nasty, nasty. They get behind my car sometimes. My PO tells me, she's like, did you get pulled over? I'm like, no. Should I got a ticket or something? I'm like, no. She's like, not even a parking ticket?

I'm like, no. She's like, they ran your name. four times. I'm like, these guys. Oh, they get alerted when you, they run your name.

Mm-hmm. And then you know, if I get in contact, I have to let her know. Do you have kids now? No, I don't. Do you want kids? At one point I did, but no.

Why is that? Because it's a cold world. Cold world. To bring up a child, it's like cool. People are like, oh, you don't want to continue with your legacy.

And this world is so cold. Look at who the fuck we got running. for president. Both of them are garbage, honestly. It's like so much shit going on in the world. You got all this break out at McDonald's, even though I don't eat fast food. It's like, I've got to make it to heaven for going through hell. You know, like, hell on earth. What are some things you're doing to try to, you know, make amends for past decisions you've done? If you're doing anything.

I volunteer my time with, there's someone wanting for counsel in my town. Her name is Chandra Young. So I volunteer my time and ideas with her like trying to get people to vote for her, you know, for my township. I also do motivational speaking. So everything I'm doing now, some of it is to make amends for my past, but some of it is really because I really got a good heart and this is what I want to do. What would you say to a, you know, like a young person that wants to get involved in gang life that's, you know, young and intrigued by that? Two options, brother. Are you ready to die right now?

And are you ready to go to jail right now? Like, straight to the cut. Like, we're not even going to play around because those are like, that's reality. You're going to get killed. You're going to end up in jail. You can end up in jail. And then for something, they ain't got nothing to do with you. And if you're loyal, you're going to keep your mouth shut.

If you're not loyal, you're going to tell it. And then you're definitely going to get killed. Were those options presented to you? Nah. Do you wish they were? I was probably so stuck in my ways. I probably like, I don't care any ways. No.

I believe me as a person, if I could change one person's life, whether it's every day, once a week or once a month, I feel so accomplished. because that one person's life, they could help change another person's life. I said, every saint got a past, every sinner got a future. So I just want to be better than an old me. Every day I want to be better than an old me.

Do you think a big part of that is kind of putting the past to bed, moving on, getting away from gang life and any association? Absolutely. Absolutely. nothing happens overnight. So, you know, you had to gradually do things and take steps to put things to bed. What do you think is the hardest part for you to overcome that? That's tough.

The hardest part is my environment right now. I believe it if I live in a different area, a lot of people wouldn't even know me. So they wouldn't even be like, he's this or he's that. That wouldn't be, like, associated with my name. Yeah, my environment. And I'm looking to move right now, like closer to my job, even though it's not that far away, but it's a little drive. Yeah, it's got to be tough to grow up in the same town, be in the same town your whole life. Like, I'm ready to move.

I'm done being in Danbury, you know. I just live my whole life here. And it's so much associated with, like, the past. And those small town vibes of people never really kind of forget or they don't give you a second chance or what. I know everybody looks at you like, oh, he did this in 2014 or like, like, get over it. Like, how long is it going to take people to get over something that transpired? And guess what? You paid your debt to society, you know, and in many ways.

Like, what the, like, and it's like people like literally look at me funny. And I'll look and I'll just be thinking like, what about your son? Or what about your husband or your brother or your father? Like, they was foul just like me. Is it hard when people judge you for the past? Is that hard on you emotionally? It used to be. Now I don't give a fuck because their emotions and their feelings and their thoughts and opinions

does not pay my phone bill, my car note, my insurance, rent. It doesn't, you know, it doesn't help me eat or anything. So I don't give a fuck when nobody thinks about me. And you only get, you know, one chance to make a first impression. So it's like if initially when you first met me, you loved me, But now that you found this out or you heard about this is like a problem, I don't even care. What's your relationship with your mom like now? Dope.

Dope. I was just like, I was joking around and playing. I was on a phone with my boy. We talked like almost every morning while I'm on the way to work. And he's like, it's only two of my friends that call my mother by her first day. And she just starts laughing. And then, you know, she took my phone and was having a conversation with my boy. And his girlfriend, and I'm like, give me my phone back.

She was like, no. And then we started wrestling. You and your boy or you and your mom? No, me and my mom, while she was with my boy. You guys are wrestling. Yeah, she was sitting in a chair. This Memorial Day, shop one of Avocados' biggest mattress sales of the year and fall in love with sleep again.

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Jeep is the Jeep Grill or registered trademarks of XCAUS LLC. I started a jump order. Let's go. Does she ever try to give you advice in counsel? Yeah. Do you listen? I hear. There's a difference between hearing and listening, so I hear.

Do you think maybe that's like the next turning point in your life being able to listen and run with something? Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. But you know, I tell my mom it's like when she grew up, things were a lot different from when I grew up. And then, you know, she was born in Guyana and then you came to New York. It's like we live in Jersey. A lot of things are different.

And it's a different error. My mom just turned 75 on. 10-10. Good for her. Do you ever think if you grew up in a different state, maybe like the country somewhere, that you went out of a different experience? Absolutely.

Absolutely. I'd probably be, if I was in a country, I'd probably be on a dirt bike right now or a cow. Like, you know. Farmer max. Yeah, farmer backs. I'd be outside with like some overalls in a flannel shirt and some boots,

milk in a cow. But when I, I lived in the islands, like, I killed the chicken before. So, like, seriously, like, RIP to my grandfather, they used to call him the boss. He had a pink pen, like, you had cows, chicken and all that. So, like, a lot of things is, like, that's your food. I don't eat beef or pork anymore, but get the chicken. Chicken, you tie the feet if you could.

Grab that thing by his neck. Boom. Then by his feet is tight. tied is a hook. You hang the chicken upside down so the blood can come out. Whole time you got that hot boiling water that's outside of the house, literally on wooden stones. Use the hook, drop that chicken in, let the feathers come off.

And, you know, it's always, like me, it's always the hard-headed ones, a couple feathers. You got to pluck off. Cut that thing open, start chopping it out. Got to season it. That's dinner. Wow. What's one state you want to move to?

North Carolina. Why? Why there? They're up and coming. I think North Carolina is like the new... It's a beautiful state. Yeah, I've been in plenty of times, yeah. I think changing environment is good is definitely a positive.

I need it. Yeah. And it's good for networking, too. You know, networking podcasts, my poetry, working on dropping my book. So it would be great. And you have a podcast now? Yes. What's the name of that?

Charmscast. And what's that about? Your luck with the ladies? Nah. No, because then I'd probably be in more trouble again because, you know, oh. But so initially when I started Charmscast, I was just like interviewing like local rappers and people with talent, whatever. But then by the grace of God, my co-host, shout to my co-host, though. She's from Newark.

I love her to death. We more so started basing it on like relationships. So that's how we do a lot of relationships and current events. Actually, we don't go live anymore because I believe what I've learned, especially being incarcerated, I was doing a lot of researching pertaining to podcasts and things of that nature. It's when you go live, you cut back on monetization. So what you do is you put it on YouTube And then you use different social media platforms

Facebook whatever to post clips So people then go to YouTube and subscribe And watch You know once you get certain following That's when YouTube starts cutting the check So You're on the right track I like to read

I like to read And I pay attention I started paying attention to you. I don't pay attention to podcasts that are, what's the word I'm going for? That I don't like, I already get four or five million views. I don't pay attention to those

because you already made it so you don't need my one view. You know, you don't need my one click. You don't need my one share, whatever. You know, when I started following you, you had like 61,000 viewers. I think I checked yesterday. You're like either 71 or 74,000.

on which one Instagram Oh on Instagram Yeah the Instagram's growing Instagram's a grind Everything's a grind But you know I've earned every single one of them

Just grinding it out Slow and steady wins a race It hasn't been overnight success Have you thought about quitting at any time Now maybe in the beginning Because it took a while To kind of make money And with podcasting

It's either it's gonna make it Or it's not It's very hard In the podcast thing the podcast space. So I didn't know where it was going to go. And it worked out. You know, it just, I grinded.

I didn't stop and did whatever I had to do to keep it going. And now it's getting momentum and it's growing, you know, month after month. And it's just the beginning. We're just at a baseline, you know. It's only up from here because there's so much more. There's millions and millions of people we can attract to watch. And it's just,

it's casual conversations. with everyday people. And I think it's interesting. And everyone kind of chimes in their own insight and knowledge and perspective. And you can hear the same story about prison a hundred times, but it's told a hundred different ways. Right. Because it's through that person's lens. So the way you explain a story could be different from the way another person explains that very same story.

And some people might be attracted to your face, your voice, or, you know, your storytelling. And everything's different. Is there someone that you would like to interview? you that you either have yet to reach out to or waiting to, like, confirm anything? I mean, I would love to do celebrities, you know, that I've told their story about prison. But it's not like it's really needed because they've told their stories before. I just think it would be cool to, like, show my level that I've been able to get there and obtain that.

But, I mean, to me, the best stories are the ones no one's heard about. You know, those are the ones that have millions of views on my TikTok or, you know, YouTube, you know, because it's not the same played out story. So, you know, I like meeting the celebrities. I think it's cool, you know, and them knowing about me and getting into that network and stuff. But the podcast is so much more than that, which I think is really cool. Do you know you are a celebrity? Who me? Absolutely. I'm not a celebrity. Why not? I mean, I have a big following. I'm not like a, you know, maybe C or D list.

You're a celebrity. Well, thank you. Celebrity. And don't let nobody else tell you otherwise. You're a celebrity. You got to stay humble, you know. Absolutely. I used to be a very, like, cocky, arrogant kid.

Yeah. I mean, I own the club and I just did whatever I want to do. And now I'm more. Reserve. Yeah, reserve laid back. A lot of it is just I'm so busy. So I just, you know, I just do me. I mean, you see like it's, there's no team.

It's me. It's me. I put everything together and sit down and do this. It is hard. Yeah, there's days. And it's just, I think the hardest thing I have to do now is navigating everyone that needs attention communication for me because you have old podcast guests reaching out. You have current ones. You have scheduling this and that.

So it's just, it's hard to balance that. And some days I have to get better about like not responding right away and just like leaving my phone for a little bit and, you know, not feeling bad about not texting this person back or this and that. You got to protect yourself and your energy. Yeah, that's the biggest thing because it's draining, man. people don't get it. Like you do two interviews, say, in a day, you don't want to talk to anyone else. At all.

You don't want to answer the phone. You don't want to respond to people. You are mentally drained because you've got to focus. You've got to think about it. You're listening to what someone has to say for an hour, hour and a half. You know, you're taking that in. And that is hard in itself because not speaking is tiring when you're just sitting there,

you know, listening. You have to be focused and you have to understand because you may miss something. important and you don't want to repeat the question and things of that nature. Yeah. And, you know, not every interview is like, are you, I'm on point for? Like, there's days where I'm tired and it ebbs and flows. But luckily, like, I think the biggest thing is getting the guests comfortable so they can do all the work.

Right. Which is good. You know, they can run with it. You just got to get them comfortable. And then the more guests watch the show before they come, the more they know they have the safe space to not be interrupted and they can just run with it. So I love that. So you have a personal relationship with Mike Tyson?

Yeah, you know, it's getting there. He's one of the sponsors for the show, and I've met him a few times, and he's a really nice guy. And I work with his weed company, Tyson 2.0. And yeah, they're one of the sponsors at and Rick Flares Wu Energy, which is really cool. And, you know, we're going to continue to just build our relationship. Did you reach out to them or did they reach out to you? So they reached out to me when I, last year, last November, they were starting their blog series about redemption. Reach out to me on my Instagram DMs.

I responded and we got on a call. They did the article. Then they invited me to an event in New York City for the launch of his cannabis company in the city. Met him there. And then I got to meet him on 420 and met him again over the summer. And, you know, just building the relationship. Everything takes time. And I think Old Ian was very like impatient rush.

Like I try to barely ask anyone for favors nowadays. But Old Ian would ask anyone and everyone for a favor. And now I'm very reserved that I really don't want to owe anyone anything. But things will happen organically. You build relationships. It doesn't always have to be like I have a lot of people that'll come and they'll sit down or they'll just message me before they even meet. Like, we'll schedule for the podcast and they'll text me like, hey, can you get this in front of this person? It's like, we haven't even met yet and had a conversation, you know?

So those types of things I don't even respond to. I won't even get back to you about that. But relationship building is like literally the biggest thing, you know? I haven't even asked, like, a lot of the celebrities that I encounter and whatnot. I don't ask them off the bat. Hey, come on the podcast. You build that, you know, relationship over the time. It's dope.

Yeah, it's interesting, man. But if you ever need help with your podcast or you ever want to use a studio, I always offer that to my guests, no charge. A lot of times it just sits there and, you know, if you're local and want to use it, all it is is my time. You know, it doesn't cost me money to let someone use that studio and have it done in a professional manner. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Of course, man. You're only in New Jersey. So if you and your co-host ever want to come here and get some good quality content, you know, it's here. Absolutely. I just, you know, she has a food truck, so it's like her time,

her time is, what kind of food? A lot of soul food. Oh, I love that. Name of food truck is called Monty's Kitchen. So, like, but she changes.

So, what's that I think yesterday, she had the, like, habachi. And like the day before she did, like, the pineapple bowl. Where's my plate, man? You didn't bring a plate up here?

I haven't even eaten. But I tell you one thing for sure, two things for certain. if you want to take the drive, it's on me. I'll come out there, man. Was it like an hour and a half? Yeah, a hour and a half. I go to New York and New Jersey a lot.

So if I'm in the area, I'll hit you up. I'll try it up. I'll plug it in. I'm begging you. Please, can we hang out? I don't know if you drink or anything. We'll go get a drink. Yeah, definitely, man.

When I'm in the area, I'll hit you up, man. Please. You got my number, bro. You're in the crew now. You know, you're the locked-in crew. I wouldn't say I'm gang, but. No, I'm not gay. You know.

Yeah, you do whatever you want. Keep me out of that, all right? I don't need any. Oh, my gosh. That was hilarious. No more cases for me. No more cases for both of us. Let's clarify that.

But I never want to get you involved in anything that, you know. Yeah. Well, Max, thank you so much, man, for coming and sit down with me today. I highly appreciate you having me. The energy, you're very intelligent, the way you articulate yourself, your experience. and I know, especially you being previous club owner, that there's pointers that you can give me pertaining to certain endeavors that I would like to get into as well.

Yeah, whatever you need, man. You have my number and I got you. Thank you. I appreciate you. Safe travels back. Thank you.