8. Leroy “Nicky” Barnes
In the mid-70s, Leroy “Nicky” Barnes was one of the most notorious heroin and cocaine dealers in the world from peddling in excess of $1 million worth of narcotics each month. His New York-based criminal organization, The Council, controlled Harlem’s drugs trade after American Gangster, Frank Lucas was arrested. Barnes was smug about his exploits from the beginning, agreeing to pose for the cover of the New York Times, who subsequently gave him the nickname “Mr. Untouchable.” This caught the attention of President Jimmy Carter, who ordered the attorney general to “Prosecute Barnes to the fullest extent of the law.” While in prison he found out that a member of The Council was sleeping with his mistress, so he became an informant in retaliation. Although he implicated himself in eight murders, his sentenced was reduced and he was released in 1998 after serving more than 30 years. At the age of 81, Barnes is now a law-abiding citizen with a hefty retirement fund.
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