American Gangster: Cornell Jones

  Yesterday BET aired the story of DC's own American Gangster Cornell Jones.  Most of you may know Cornell as the owner of the Tunnel (a Washington DC club.) Cornell has been on the DC scene on both sides of the fence, from being a drug Kingpin to now running a non-profit organization that helps inmates lives after prison. Last night there was a viewing party for Cornell spot on BET's American Gangster @ Jordan 8 in Capitol Hill. There were a lot of "OG's" in the crowd and who's who around town. I was flattered to get an invite and being in the presence of these older cats who have always showed me Love and support through out my career. Just to name a few of the Dc Legends that were in attendance; Ty Madness, John "Bay Bay" Duren, Cliff, Tony Lewis and many more. It was a good time and a wonderful story of transformation and change. Big ups to Cornell Jones! Here's his Rap sheet...

CORNELL JONES

Rap Sheet
Reign: 1980s
Business: drugs
Region: Washington, D.C.
Claim to Fame: ran open air drug market near the Capitol
Downfall: set up by the Feds
Sentence: served 12 years
Status: works with community organizations
Lesson: You catch more flies with honey.

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Case File
Rayful Edmond’s predecessor as D.C.’s drug kingpin was a native son who quietly plied his trade in the shadow of the Capitol, and ultimately developed a network that funneled drugs throughout major cities of the Eastern seaboard and even throughout Europe. He also gets “credit” for the accidental invention of a hallucinative mix of pot and PCP that was loosely known on the streets of D.C. as “butt naked,” helping to turn D.C. into a mecca for “angel dust.” 

For years, Jones stayed under the radar of law enforcement by developing a business model that emphasized harmony over violence, while keeping a low personal profile and funneling much of his profits into legitimate businesses. He did it so well that his arrest and incarceration in 1985 created a huge vacuum in the D.C., drug trade, leading to unprecedented murder rates. Since Jones’ release, he’s run a non-profit organization to help inmates prepare for life after prison.