00:00 - Intro to Gang Life 🕵️‍♂️

• Speaker reflects on joining Simon City Royals gang at age 14.
• Emphasizes the early influence of street culture in Chicago.

00:16 - New Podcast Studio Launch 🎙️

• Introduction of the 10 Toes podcast in a new studio.
• Hosts discuss their journey and content mission to reduce recidivism.

01:52 - Background Story Begins 🏙️

• Guest shares his troubled upbringing, absent father, and life on the streets from a young age.
• Describes aspiration to embody a gangster lifestyle, noting the mid-70s as a defining era.

03:14 - Criminal Escapades 🔫

• Discusses starting with petty crimes and escalating to burglaries and armed robberies.
• Reflects on the misguided sense of protection among gang members versus reality.

09:01 - Turning Point to Major Crimes 💵

• Details a pivotal home invasion at 17, leading to significant drug haul.
• Explains the anxiety and fears around committing such crimes without prior experience.

15:06 - Start of a New Business Venture 🌱

• The speaker shares a turning point in their life when they decided to enter the drug trade rather than pursue education.
• They encountered difficulties with inventory and clientele, which led to five years of continuous business.

17:01 - Police Involvement 🚔

• Mention of an incident where the speaker was almost caught by law enforcement due to an informant.
• Discussions about their early experiences and evade law enforcement's attempts to find them in high school.

18:00 - Writing Books for Legacy 📚

• The speaker reflects on their decision to write multiple books, driven by the desire to leave a legacy for their children.
• They express the importance of documenting their past for future generations, emphasizing the unpredictability of recognition for their stories.

23:02 - Fake Money Transactions 💰

• Detailed account of a scheme involving counterfeit money, highlighting the street smart mentality in the drug trade.
• The discussion continues on the dangers and tactics used in transactions with drug dealers.

29:04 - Consequences of Betrayal ⚠️

• A narrative about a connection who stole customers, which led to dangerous repercussions for the speaker.
• The discussion wraps up with an encounter in prison, emphasizing the continuing nature of these criminal connections.

30:08 - Encountering Old Associates 😮

• A conversation occurs between two people, where one requests financial help to make bail.
• The other refuses, recalling past business dealings that ended poorly.

30:51 - Robbing and Avoiding Violence 🎭

• Discussion on the strategy of robbing individuals without violence; flexibility to plan well is emphasized.
• A contrast is made between different community reactions to violence.

34:03 - Planning the Armored Truck Robbery 🚓

• Reminiscence of a robbery in July 1984 involving an armored truck that nearly resulted in violence.
• Emphasis on the importance of avoiding confrontations and staying concealed.

38:42 - Consequences of the Robbery ⚖️

• The speaker describes being implicated in the robbery due to a gang member’s confession leading to police interest and pressure.
• He shares experiences of mistreatment while in police custody.

44:12 - Going On the Run 🏃‍♂️

• An account of evading law enforcement after being found with illegal drugs in his vehicle, leading to a life on the run.
• Reflects on past criminal activities and hints at feelings of boredom while hiding.

45:10 - A Life of Excess 💰

• Reflection on past lifestyle, filled with:
  • High-end cars, luxury, clubs, and materialism.
  • Struggles with betrayal from a close friend.

46:20 - Turning Point in Mexico 🇲🇽

• Met lifelong friend Tino who advised him to return home.
• Faced personal crisis due to financial instability and deceit.

48:05 - Getaway Plan 🚪

• Describes attempts to navigate the law amidst criminal charges.
• Highlights the pivotal moment of returning to Chicago after a brief escape in Mexico.

50:50 - Kidnapping and Capture 🚓

• Captured in Mexico by federal agents.
• Details of being transported across county jails back to the U.S.

56:15 - Cigar Business Ambitions 🍂

• Transitioned to a cigar selling operation after previous criminal activities.
• Profitable venture in smuggling cigars started, with a significant turn of profits.

1:00:10 - Cigar Mission Begins 🚬

• Speaker describes a shocking encounter with a seller asking about cigars.
• Motivated by a need for cigars, reminiscent of the movie Blow.
• Partnered with an engineer who has connections in Cuba.

1:01:10 - Landing in Cuba 🛬

• Arrival in Havana for a "cigar mission."
• Observations of widespread cigar sales by locals.
• Speaker learns about "street cigars," noting potential poor quality and counterfeit concerns.

1:02:13 - Customs Encounter 🚓

• Speaker's attempt to smuggle 70 boxes of cigars through customs using fake invoices.
• Encounter with a customs agent who is suspicious yet bribed.
• Successfully navigates customs, leading to further cigar connections.

1:08:50 - Meeting a Key Connection 🤝

• Reunites with the customs agent during a tense customs inspection.
• Discusses the challenges of smuggling cigars out of Cuba.
• Learnings about quality and official invoicing while forming important relationships in the industry.

1:10:31 - Trading Stories and Risks ⚖️

• Speaker reflects on close calls with Cuban authorities and the risks of smuggling.
• Mentions not getting arrested but facing significant challenges and reputation risks.
• Contrasts his experiences with that of another individual who faced severe consequences for cigar smuggling.

1:15:14 - Personal Journey Through Crime and Redemption 🚀

• Arms Trafficking: Shared experiences from being involved in arms trafficking and consequences.
• Prison Time: Served a year and a half in federal prison, navigating different correctional facilities.
• Turning Point: Realized the need to stop being greedy, focused on building a gym, a long-standing dream.

1:18:00 - First Book and Future Projects 📚

• Book Creation: Discussed writing a book that chronicles his life and criminal experiences over 27 months.
• Content Overview: The first book covers his life from age 5 to the first drug robbery, while future books explore deeper criminal activities and being a fugitive.

1:21:00 - Life as a Fugitive 🏃

• Struggles Post-Arrest: Described the adjustment period after prison and the challenges of being a fugitive.
• Continuing Criminal Activity: Highlighted that he continued to engage in crime while being a fugitive, facing dilemmas of no returning to a conventional life.

1:25:00 - Reflection on Past Criminal Activities 💭

• Network from Past: Commented on the connections with childhood friends and fellow gang members throughout his life.
• Morality and Growth: Emphasized personal growth and the importance of strong moral values amidst a chaotic past.

1:30:00 - Embracing Public Exposure 🎤

• Social Media Start: Recently began sharing his story on social media and through podcasts, encouraged by his children and friends.
• Future Aspirations: Discussed aspirations for a TV series based on his life, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in Hollywood.

1:30:15 - Personal Journey in Martial Arts 🥋

• Introduction of the speaker, 62 years old, who is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
• Plans to spend the rest of his life teaching the art.

1:30:28 - Family and Future Aspirations 🌍

• Expresses a desire to raise his young kids and enjoy life with his young wife.
• Aims to travel the world and share his story.

1:30:41 - Helping Others 🤝

• Hopes that through his experiences, he can help others along the way.

1:30:46 - Closing Remarks 🎤

• Engages in a brief conversation about an upcoming book launch.
• Encouragement to join the next episode of the 10Tes podcast.

1:30:59 - Final Thoughts 🎶

• Acknowledgment of the recording location at Yard Creative Studios in Hollywood, Florida.
• Music plays as the episode concludes.