MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - A drug lord who pleaded guilty to multiple murders over the course of several years was sentenced to 10 life sentences plus 1,980 months in federal prison Thursday morning.
Craig Petties was arrested in Mexico in 2008 and has been in custody ever since. Prosecutors say he organized and directed a massive marijuana and cocaine operation in the Mid-South. Petties pleaded guilty at a secret hearing in 2009. At his sentencing hearing on Thursday, he offered a short apology.
"To the court, my family, the victims' families," Petties said, briefly turning to address spectators in the courtroom, "I apologize for the decisions I made in life that put me here in this situation. I'm sorry."
According to the list Judge Samuel "Hardy" Mays read in court, Petties pleaded guilty to 20 different criminal charges.
"This is a very serious, serious set of crimes," said Mays. "Mr. Petties has committed more serious crimes than anyone I have sentenced. This is the most substantial criminal enterprise ever seen in this district."
Prosecutors believe Petties was involved in multiple murders, more than the four to which he pleaded guilty. One victim's mother addressed the court shortly before Mays made his ruling.
"He has damaged so many lives, so many lives," said Lucy Turner, whose son Marcus Turner was kidnapped and murdered by members of the Petties organization at Petties' direction. "I just ask you give Mr. Petties whatever the law allows. He can talk to his family. I can't talk to my son. And it hurts."
Action News 5's Nick Kenney was in the courtroom and will have more on this story tonight on Action News 5 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Taken from Craig Petties Sentenced To 10 Life Sentences;1,980 Months In Prison
Craig Petties is DJ Paul's (from 3-6 mafia) half brother. He was Memphis' Gangster Disciples leader and worked with the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel and was close friends with Edgar Valdez Villarreal or "La Barbie". He escaped Memphis and ran o Mexico where he hid out with villarreal until he was apprehended in Mexico. He was suspected of ordering the murders of 8 associates and importing tons of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana into the US. Petties was the main supplier for multiple large US drug orginizations, more notably, BMF or Black Mafia Family who is associated with T.I. and Rick Ross.
