Big Meech, born Demetrius Flenory, is an infamous drug kingpin who led the Black Mafia Family, one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in US history. At the height of its power in the early 2000s, the Black Mafia Family was moving thousands of kilos of cocaine per month and generating revenue of over $270 million.
Big Meech lived a lavish lifestyle with multiple mansions, exotic cars, and expensive jewelry. However, his reign came to an end when he was indicted in 2005 on charges of running a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. So how much time does Big Meech currently have in prison?
Big Meech’s Crimes and Convictions
Big Meech and his brother Terry “Southwest T” Flenory founded the Black Mafia Family in Detroit in the late 1980s. The organization grew rapidly, establishing cocaine distribution networks in cities across the country. Big Meech oversaw the trafficking operation while Southwest T managed the finances. Here is an overview of Big Meech’s major crimes and convictions:
2005 Federal Drug Charges
- Conspiracy to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine
- Continuing criminal enterprise
- Money laundering conspiracy
- Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
After being on the run for several months, Big Meech was arrested in 2005 and indicted on the above federal charges. He was convicted on all counts in 2008.
Sentence Received
For the 2005 convictions, Big Meech was originally sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. However, that sentence was later reduced on appeal to 20 years.
2015 Murder for Hire Charges
While in prison, Big Meech was caught on wiretaps allegedly discussing plans to have a witness murdered. As a result, he was indicted on:
- Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering
- Conspiracy to distribute marijuana
He was convicted on the murder for hire charge in 2015 and sentenced to an additional 30 years in federal prison.
Big Meech’s Total Prison Sentence
By adding up his convictions and sentences from the 2005 drug trafficking case and the 2015 murder for hire case, Big Meech received a total prison sentence of 50 years.
Here is a summary of his total time:
- 2005 drug case: 20 years
- 2015 murder for hire: 30 years
- Total sentence: 50 years
Big Meech has been in federal custody since his 2005 arrest. Given that he has served about 18 years so far, he still has approximately 32 more years left to serve. This means Big Meech will remain in prison until at least 2055, at which point he will be 82 years old.
Notable Big Meech Quotes About His Sentence
Over the years, Big Meech has made several statements about his lengthy prison sentence:
“This sentence will not break me. I’m a survivor.”
“50 years is crazy. They sentenced me as a kingpin when I ain’t ever really been no kingpin.”
“The government just wants me to die in prison. But they can’t break my spirit.”
“It’s all good. I’m gonna keep fighting this 50 year sentence. This ain’t over.”
“I know one day I’ll be back out there living my life again. 50 years can’t stop me.”
Big Meech has clearly been impacted by his 50 year sentence, but maintains a defiant and optimistic attitude that he will one day be free again. However, given the severity of his crimes and convictions, it is highly unlikely his sentence will be further reduced.
Big Meech’s Life in Prison
Big Meech is currently serving his sentence at USP McCreary, a high-security federal penitentiary in Kentucky.
Daily Life
Like all prisoners, Big Meech experiences highly regimented days within the rigid confines of the prison environment. His daily routine likely involves:
- Wake up before dawn and remain in his cell until breakfast
- Eat meals in the dining hall with other prisoners
- Adhere to strict schedules for sleeping, eating, counts, and activities
- Limited recreation time of about 1-2 hours per day
- Remain in his cell for lockdowns and the majority of most days
- Highly restricted communication with the outside world
Jobs and Activities
At USP McCreary, Big Meech has access to some vocational programs and job opportunities, including:
- Janitorial and maintenance jobs
- Kitchen work
- Orderly jobs assisting staff
- Adult education and literacy classes
- Career training programs
However, his activity is still extremely limited compared to life outside prison.
Interaction with Other Prisoners
In the prison environment, Big Meech has to interact with many types of dangerous convicted felons, including:
- Other drug traffickers and kingpins
- Gang members
- Violent offenders
- White collar criminals
For safety and status, he likely sticks closely with a circle of associates.
Health and Diet
Prison life tends to take a toll on health. Big Meech receives basic medical treatment but has to eat the standard prison food, which is starchy, low quality, and unhealthy. He has limited ability to stay active or exercise.
Looking Ahead
At nearly 50 years old, Big Meech faces spending the rest of his viable years and most of his elderly ones imprisoned. While he continues seeking appeals or reductions to his sentence, the chances of him ever being released appear very slim. His case serves as a stark example of the severe consequences involved in running large-scale criminal enterprises like the Black Mafia Family. Big Meech took the operation to great heights in the drug trafficking world, but underestimated the lengths law enforcement would go to take him down.
For now, Big Meech can only bide his time and try to adapt to the harsh realities of prison life – where he faces staying until 2055 at the age of 82. Given his conviction history and the ongoing investigations into the Black Mafia Family, Big Meech will likely never breathe the air of freedom again.
What year was Big Meech arrested?
Big Meech was arrested in 2005 on federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges related to running the Black Mafia Family cocaine operation.
How old was Big Meech when he was first arrested?
Big Meech was 33 years old when first arrested in 2005. He had built the Black Mafia Family into a major drug trafficking organization by that time.
How long did Big Meech get for the 2005 charges?
For the 2005 drug case, Big Meech was originally sentenced to 30 years. However, that sentence was later reduced on appeal to 20 years.
What additional charges did Big Meech get in 2015?
In 2015, Big Meech was convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. The charges stemmed from a murder for hire plot he coordinated while already imprisoned.
How long was Big Meech’s total prison sentence?
Big Meech’s total sentence added up to 50 years in federal prison. This consists of the reduced 20 year sentence from 2005 plus the additional 30 years from the 2015 case.
Conclusion
Big Meech rose to prominence in the drug trafficking world as a leader of the notorious Black Mafia Family. However, his reign came to an end when he was brought down by the law and sentenced to a total of 50 years in federal prison. Big Meech continues to appeal his sentence, but has so far served about 18 years behind bars.
Given the severity of his crimes, it is unlikely Big Meech will ever be released from prison while he’s still alive. Now nearing his 50s, he faces spending his remaining decades behind bars until at least 2055 – highlighting the stark consequences that major drug kingpins can face. While Big Meech’s name still rings out on the streets, his days of running a major criminal empire have ended. He now must accept the reality of serving out his remaining 32+ years in the harsh confines of the federal prison system.