Chicago Sun-Times
NEW YORK — A ruthless Jamaican drug kingpin — described as one of the world’s most dangerous criminals — has listed 13 reasons why a judge here should be “lenient on me.”
Christopher Coke, 42, pleaded guilty to racketeering and assault charges last month and faces up to 23 years when he is sentenced Dec. 8. Coke was the leader of Jamaica’s Shower Posse, which derives its name from “showering” communities with bullets.
A hunt for him in his West Kingston slum stronghold led to a confrontation in 2010 that killed 73 civilians and three security officers over four days of fighting.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “For nearly two decades, Christopher Coke led a ruthless criminal enterprise that used fear, force and intimidation to support its drug and arms trafficking ‘businesses.’ He moved drugs and guns between Jamaica and the United States with impunity.”
In the letter, obtained by the New York Times, Coke argued why he deserves a break:
1. He lost his mother recently. “I was told that while she was on her deathbed she was crying and kept calling my name.”
2. He has an 8-year-old son who “cries all the time” and asks “when he is going to see me again.”
3. His constitutional rights were violated by the Jamaican government.
4. He was arrested “while I was on my way to turn myself over.”
5. His “harsh incarceration” in the United States has included living in a cell by himself, where he is unable to see outside. He is only allowed one 15-minute social call per month.
6. Since he has been in custody, he has not gotten into any trouble.
7. He is not going to be eligible for any “special programs” while in prison.
8. He is going to be deported after he serves out his prison sentence.
9. He did a lot of educational charity work in Jamaica.
10. In Jamaica, he held an “Easter treat” event for the elderly, a back-to-school party and a D.J. contest where the winner got a chance to record a song.
11. He founded a youth group that would groom and cut the hair of the elderly.
12. He founded a school that taught people how to use computers.
13. He founded a “parent association committee” that made sure children “are off the street by 8 p.m. from Sundays to Thursdays.” The group also helped kids do their homework.
He signed the note “Sincerely, C. Coke” and added in a P.S.: “I am humbly pleading for leniency and for your discretion, if it is possible for you to sentence me below the guideline range or if you could run my sentence concurrent, which would be greatly appreciated.”
Jamaican drug kingpin Christopher Coke, 42, argues that his good works merit consideration when he is sentenced.
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