Akbar Pray
Akbar Pray (born Wayne B. Pray on March 22, 1948) is an American writer, columnist and convicted drug kingpin from Newark, New Jersey who is serving a life sentence in prison.
Wayne B. Pray | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1948 Newark, New Jersey, United States |
| Other names | Akbar Pray |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated for 27 years; petitioning for a time served sentence commutation |
| Conviction(s) | Sentenced January 12, 1990; life in prison without parole |
| Criminal charge | Drug trafficking under federal drug kingpin statute (21 USCA 848 (b)drug kingpin statute) |
Pray headed a narcotics operations that distributed millions of dollars worth of cocaine and marijuana into Essex County, New Jersey from the early 1970s to the late 1980s.
The Pray organization called itself The Family, and consisted of more than 300 active members. In addition to its drug distribution networks, the group had been active in real estate ventures.
Once described as "untouchable" by law enforcement, Pray was sentenced to life without possibility of parole in 1990.
Criminal career
Pray was born in Newark in 1948. Starting off as a street hustler, was soon operating a major drug ring.
The Afro-Lineal Organized Crime Report: The Family (North)
For several years, NJ's State Commission of Investigation (SCI or Commission) had developed intelligence on Afro-lineal mobs. These efforts culminated in a public hearing on November 29, 1990. The Afro-Lineal Organized Crime Report summarizes the public hearing. Within the report concerning Pray's The Family organization, it reads as follows:
New Jersey has a significant presence of African-American organized crime. A Newark-based cocaine and marijuana trafficking organization, called The Family, operates in several areas of the country. It was headed by Wayne (Akbar) Pray for nearly 20 years until his incarceration in federal prison in 1989 for life, without the opportunity for parole. Pray was convicted for being the "principal administrator" of a substantial cocaine importing and distribution organization. At its height, Pray's group had about 300 members and associates. Newark Police Director Claude M. Coleman testified at the SCI public hearing as to the difficulties encountered in investigating Pray:
For some years ... [Pray] was considered to be one of the so-called untouchables, because he never came close to the [narcotics]. He was leading the life of wealth and influence, [but] I think everyone knew that he was involved in drug dealing .... Nonetheless, he had not been ... brought to justice, so to speak.
Director Coleman related how Pray built up The Family through "fear, intimidation and violence," directed primarily against rivals for the drug trade. Although the group has continued after Pray's incarceration, Director Coleman described it as "fragmented" with several of Pray's former lieutenants "now dealing on their own as freelancers" and some having been incarcerated.
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Ashton detailed the past and current status of The Family in testimony at the Commission's public hearing:
... Akbar's African-American organized crime network, called The Family, continues to operate. It is based in Essex County and consists of over two hundred members. Pray's organization started in the early 1970s as [an outgrowth of] the New World of Islam. The Muslim [name] Akbar means omnipotent, all powerful, or the great one. In fact, Akbar referred to himself as Akbar Akbar in some cases, or the greatest of the great. He lived up to this name by assuming control over a vast and durable criminal network. The New World of Islam initially focused on supporting bank robberies and even operated a bank robbery school. Pray's drug trafficking venture started out in a small area of Essex County and eventually extended to several states, including Ohio, Michigan, New York and Southern Florida.
Arrest and conviction
On June 21, 1988, Pray and four subordinates were indicted under the federal drug kingpin statute. He was arrested in Boca Raton, Florida by federal authorities, accused of leading an organized cocaine and marijuana trafficking enterprise. Federal officials estimated that his organization distributed 341 kilos of cocaine and 354 kilos of marijuana in less than two years, grossing more than $4.5 million annually.
Pray traveled throughout the United States, making deals and arranging for transportation of narcotics. He also traveled to Colombia and the West Indies to purchase his supply of cocaine.
His seven-month trial consisted of the testimony of 126 "document" witnesses, being hotel staff, car salesmen and retail clothing store employees, all solicited to testify to Pray's extravagant spending and lifestyle, as part of the prosecution's "substantial wealth" case against him. This ideology behind the case was that Pray made and spent copious amounts of money, far more than could be accounted for by legitimate means.
On January 12, 1990, Pray was sentenced under the federal drug kingpin statute to life in prison without parole.
As of June 2021, Pray was serving his life sentence at FMC Butner, a medical prison facility in Butner, North Carolina.[1]
Prison activities
In prison, Pray wrote the book "The Death of the Game", which warns youth of the detrimental realities associated with the street life. He is also a columnist and regular contributor to Don Diva magazine, a contributing writer to Nikki Turner's "Tales From Da Hood" and co-author of "The Street Chronicles" with Nikki Turner.
Pray also serves as Editor in Chief of Gangster Chronicles. Pray's CD "Akbar Speaks" invaded the mix tape circuit and allowed Pray's voice to be heard via a medium relevant to today's youth.
Pray is the CEO and Founder of Akbar Pray's Foundation For Change (APFFC). His APFFC non-profit organization is dedicated to re-directing the lives of at-risk urban youth.
Health
Pray has hypertension, prostate problems, and glaucoma. He is also in need of double hip replacement surgery.