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Who Is Clarence Heatley?
Clarence Heatley, a notorious figure in New York City’s criminal underworld, led the “Preacher Crew,” a gang implicated in a range of violent and illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder. Operating primarily in the Bronx and Harlem, Heatley gained a fearsome reputation during the late 20th century. His chief lieutenant was John Cuff, a former housing police officer. By the early 1990s, a collaborative task force comprising the New York Police Department and the FBI was established to dismantle the Preacher Crew. In an effort to avoid the death penalty, both Heatley and Cuff entered plea deals, ultimately admitting to their crimes. Currently, Heatley is incarcerated at Florida’s Federal Correctional Institution, Talladega.
Early Life and Criminal Activity
Details regarding Clarence Heatley’s early life remain scarce. Born in the early 1950s, he grew up in Harlem, a neighborhood known for its socioeconomic challenges. Reports indicate that he dropped out of school by the fourth grade and quickly adapted to the harsh realities of street life. As he navigated his formative years, Heatley became increasingly immersed in criminal activities, resulting in multiple convictions throughout the 1970s for offenses including firearm possession and robbery.
Crimes Involved with the “Preacher Crew”
Overview of Activities
Heatley, known by aliases such as “The Preacher” and “The Black Hand of Death,” led a notorious drug trafficking organization called the “Preacher Crew.” This group was involved in the distribution of various illicit substances, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and PCP. In addition to drug trafficking, the Preacher Crew engaged in extortion, kidnapping, and murder, aiming to establish dominance in the Bronx and Harlem neighborhoods of New York City.
Key Figures
One of Heatley’s closest associates was John Cuff, a former housing police officer who served as his top lieutenant. The crew included individuals referred to as “janitors,” responsible for disposing of evidence after the torture and murder of victims. Reports indicated that the drug ring operated from several apartment buildings in the Bronx. Notably, there were allegations that the Preacher Crew had kidnapped R&B singer Bobby Brown—ex-husband of the late Whitney Houston—holding him for ransom due to a drug debt.
Arrest, Conviction, and Sentencing
Law Enforcement Efforts
By the early 1990s, a joint task force consisting of the New York Police Department and the FBI was established to dismantle the Preacher Crew. At this point, the organization was reportedly linked to approximately 45 homicides.
Plea Deals
Both Heatley and Cuff ultimately entered plea agreements to evade the death penalty. In February 1999, Heatley, then 47 years old, pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to 13 drug-related homicides. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Joel S. Cohen, one of Heatley’s attorneys, explained that there was little advantage to going to trial, given the certainty of avoiding execution through a guilty plea. Cohen further noted that Heatley aimed to protect his family from the trauma of his execution and sought to maintain a positive influence in his children’s lives.
Current Status
Heatley has admitted to earning a significant income from drug sales, primarily cocaine and crack cocaine, between 1990 and 1996. He is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Talladega, in Alabama.
Family Involvement
The Criminal Enterprise
Heatley’s operation was colloquially referred to as “The Family,” reflecting the involvement of his immediate family members, including his son, daughter, and girlfriend.
Son’s Cooperation
Shaka, Heatley’s son, cooperated with authorities and provided insights into the organization’s operations during a 1997 prison interview. This interview was later featured in the documentary The Son of Preacher: The Black Hand That Ruled Harlem.