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00:00:00 – 00:17:12
The video covers the criminal activities of Clarence "Preacher" Heatley and his gang, the Preacher Crew, depicting them as one of the most brutal criminal organizations in New York City. The gang, which included up to 50 members and even Preacher's children, was involved in numerous heinous activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, contract killings, and kidnappings. Noteworthy incidents include the kidnappings of singer Bobby Brown and Darnell Porter, the latter being connected to Harlem legend Rich Porter.
John Cuff, a corrupt police officer, played a significant role as Preacher's second in command, ensuring protection from law enforcement. The gang's extreme measures included torturing victims in a basement dungeon and employing members known as "janitors" to clean up after murders. Their ruthless methods fostered a reign of terror that dominated the streets.
The fallout from their activities led to substantial law enforcement efforts, including the NYPD and FBI's formation of the C11 squad. A major breakthrough came in April 1994 when a gang member cooperated with authorities, providing crucial information about internal killings and the gang's operations. Ultimately, the crew was dismantled by a 47-count RICO indictment, with Preacher pleading guilty to multiple charges, leading to his life sentence plus 225 years. This case highlights the intense and violent nature of the gang and its leaders' eventual downfall.
00:00:00
In this segment, the video delves into the notorious criminal activities of Clarence Heatley, also known as “Preacher” or “The Black Hand of Death.” Heatley and his gang, the Preacher Crew, were linked to 45 homicides and operated with extreme brutality. The gang was known for kidnapping, torturing, and holding trials in a basement dungeon, where they decided victims’ fates with a thumbs up or down. Special crew members called “janitors” handled the aftermath of murders and had distinctive tattoos signifying their role. Preacher’s gang was ruthless, using fear to dominate New York’s streets. Heatley was an imposing figure, both physically and charismatically, which enabled him to manipulate others easily. His early life involved frequent imprisonments for various crimes, and he used either brute force or charm to achieve his ends.
00:03:00
In this segment, the video discusses the notorious activities of the “preacher crew,” a violent criminal group in New York City led by an individual known as “preacher.” Preacher was known for coercing apartment owners and terrorizing communities. The crew, believed to have formed in 1983, had 25-50 members, including preacher’s own children, and was known for its strict internal rules and brutal enforcement.
The video highlights the role of John Cuff, a rogue police officer who became the second in command of the crew. Cuff protected the crew from law enforcement while participating in their criminal activities, which included drug trafficking, extortion, contract killings, and kidnappings. Two infamous kidnappings attributed to the crew are those of singer Bobby Brown and the brother of Harlem legend Rich Porter. The segment sets the stage to delve into the details of these high-profile kidnappings.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the narrator describes an incident from 1993 involving Bobby Brown and the preacher crew. Bobby Brown owed $25,000 to a New Jersey dealer, who threatened to kill him. Instead, the preacher crew took over the debt, paid the dealer, and then kidnapped Bobby. They demanded $400,000 from him and made him contact his wife, Whitney Houston, who eventually paid the ransom.
The segment also recounts the notorious December 1989 kidnapping of twelve-year-old Darnell Porter by the preacher crew. Darnell was Rich Porter’s younger brother and the kidnapping was orchestrated by their uncle, Johnny Porter, who saw it as a way to extort money. The kidnapping was immortalized in the movie “Paid in Full,” where names were changed, with Darnell becoming ‘Sonny.’ Johnny, nicknamed Apple, collaborated with the preacher crew to demand $500,000 for Darnell’s return.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on the harrowing experience of the Porter family after the kidnapping of 12-year-old Danelle. Initially unable to meet the kidnappers’ ransom demands, the kidnappers agreed to lower the amount to $350,000 and instructed the family to go to a McDonald’s location. There, a family friend found a coffee can in the bathroom containing Danelle’s severed index finger, two rings, and a cassette tape with Danelle crying for help.
The kidnappers kept negotiating the ransom, despite the family managing only to gather $200,000. This tension increased when Danelle’s uncle, Apple, who was part of the kidnapping plot, pushed to extract more money. Following unsettling and delayed communication, the family finally involved the police, although Rich, Danelle’s relative, was reluctant to cooperate, aiming to resolve the situation himself. As days passed without updates on Danelle’s condition, the kidnappers sent a letter reiterating their ransom demands and the boy’s dire need for medical attention, but still failed to make direct contact again.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, Dannell is kidnapped on December 5th, with Rich later murdered by Alpo on January 3rd near Orchard Beach Park. Alpo kills Rich to avoid repaying a debt, leading to a spiral of events where both Rich and Dannell’s deaths devastate their family. Dannell’s body is discovered three weeks after Rich’s murder, wrapped in 14 garbage bags. This sparks significant attention and leads to the formation of the C11 squad by the NYPD and FBI to tackle drug organizations. A breakthrough occurs in April 1994 when a member of the Preacher Crew offers to cooperate, fearing for his life. He reveals internal killings within the crew, including Malik, a psychopathic member killed in March 1994. Malik, known for his violent tendencies, is lured to a basement, shot in the head, dismembered, and his head used grotesquely by members of the crew. The basement is revealed to be a torture dungeon used by the gang.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, it is detailed how the preacher crew, a notorious gang, operated with extreme violence. They would hold group votes to decide whether a victim needed to be killed, and dismember their bodies if the majority agreed. Members designated as “janitors” were responsible for cleaning up afterward, an esteemed role within the gang. The preacher crew was feared for their brutal tactics, resembling more a collective of serial killers than gangsters. The gang was eventually brought down by a 47-count RICO indictment handed down by the US government, which included charges for multiple murders and drug trafficking. The gang leader, Clarence “Preacher” Heatley, pled guilty to 13 murders and cooperated with the police, resulting in his life sentence plus 225 years. This exemplified his formidable and terrifying reputation in New York.