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)
Akbar Pray (born Wayne B. Pray on March 22, 1948) is an American writer, columnist and convicted drug kingpin from Newark, New Jersey who was serving a life sentence in federal prison, imposed in 1990, before obtaining a "compassionate release" on September 30, 2024.
Pray headed 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.
Pray was born in Newark in 1948. Starting off as a street hustler, was soon operating a major drug ring.
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.
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 blind in one eye. While in prison, he received double hip replacement surgery.
