Iran Nazario

Iran Nazario
Narazio in 2017
Bornc. 1970 (age 54–55)
Hartford, Connecticut
Other namesSmurf
Occupations
  • Gang member (former)
  • activist
Organizations
Criminal chargesRacketeering
Criminal penalty27 years
Criminal statusReleased

Iran "Smurf" Nazario (born c. 1970) is an American former gang member and activist.

Early life

Nazario was born c. 1970 in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up around violence in his foster family.[1] He was first introduced to gang life at age 11, when he was beaten by Hartford gang members. He was homeless from age 13 to 18, and was arrested for the first time in 1987 after stabbing somebody.[2]

Gang activity

He served as a gang leader during the 80s and 90s, leading the Savage Nomads,[3] and the Los Solidos, until he and six other gang members were arrested and charged for the drive-by shooting of Angel Serrano, a rival gang member, and a firebombing.[4][5] He was convicted by judge Christopher F. Droney[6] to 27 years in prison.[2]

In 1997, he was resentenced to 18 months in prison plus 6 months in a halfway house by Peter Collins Dorsey for lying to conceal his crimes.[5]

Post-gang activity

After being released from prison in 2000, he wrote a book titled Rage to Peace: From Wounded Child to Gang Member to Peace Advocate, detailing his experiences with gangs and activism. In 2016, he founded of the Peace Center of Connecticut, a not-for-profit peace organization in Connecticut.[7]

References

  1. ^ Ruggiero, Brittany (2019-04-14). "Former foster child, Iran Nazario, turned from a life of violence and crime to a life of peace and empowering others". Aspire Living & Learning. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  2. ^ a b DiSalvo, Emily (27 September 2023). "He was introduced to gang life at 11. Now he's a CEO of a nonprofit focused on peace in CT". Connecticut Insider.
  3. ^ "GANG OF PAST PART OF PRESENT". Hartford Courant. 25 August 2021.
  4. ^ Rierden, Andi (23 February 1997). "The Law, Order And Life On the Streets". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b "MEDIATOR FOR GANGS GETS PRISON". Hartford Courant. 3 May 1997.
  6. ^ "Article clipped from Hartford Courant". Hartford Courant. 12 December 1995.
  7. ^ "Former Gang Member Turned Peacemaker Shares His Story". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-03-18.