Nicky Barnes

Lore & Background

Leroy Nicholas Barnes was born on October 15, 1933, in Harlem, New York City, into an African-American family. A good student in his youth, he left home early to escape his abusive alcoholic father, turning to drug dealing for income. Barnes became addicted to heroin for several years in his 20s until spending time in jail, when he ended his addiction. He was sent to prison in 1965 for low-level drug dealing, and while in prison he met 'Crazy' Joe Gallo, a capo in the Colombo crime family, and Matthew Madonna, a heroin dealer for the Lucchese crime family. Gallo wanted a greater presence in the Harlem heroin market and passed on knowledge of running a drug trafficking organization to Barnes, asking him to assemble personnel. When Gallo was released, he provided a lawyer for Barnes, who had his conviction overturned on a technicality. On his return to New York City, Barnes began assembling his personnel and cutting and packaging heroin.

In 1972, Barnes founded The Council, a seven-man organization consisting of Barnes, Joseph 'Jazz' Hayden, Wallace Rice, Thomas 'Gaps' Foreman, Ishmael Muhammed, Frank James, and Guy Fisher. The Council was modelled after the Italian-American Mafia families, settling disputes among criminals and handling distribution problems. By 1976, Barnes' operation spread throughout New York State, into Pennsylvania and Canada. According to DEA records, his operation consisted of seven lieutenants, each controlling a dozen mid-level distributors, who supplied upwards of 40 street-level dealers each. Barnes set up front companies to protect assets, including car dealerships. His net worth reached over $50 million, and he was given the name 'Mr. Untouchable' after beating numerous charges. The Council also employed contract killers, including Robert 'Willie Sanchez' Young.

On June 5, 1977, The New York Times Magazine released an article titled 'Mr. Untouchable' featuring Barnes on the cover. In response, President Jimmy Carter ordered the Justice Department to intensify prosecution. Barnes was convicted for drug-related crimes and sentenced to life in prison without parole on January 19, 1978. While in prison, he discovered his assets were not maintained and that fellow Council member Guy Fisher was having an affair with Barnes' mistress.

Reader's Guide

Nicky Barnes is significant as the founder of The Council, a rare African-American organized crime syndicate that operated with a structure similar to the Italian-American Mafia and controlled a major portion of the Harlem heroin trade in the 1970s. His partnership with the Mafia and his ability to evade prosecution for years earned him the nickname 'Mr. Untouchable,' a moniker that ultimately provoked federal action after a magazine cover story. His legacy is complex: he built a vast drug empire worth over $50 million, but his decision to become a federal informant led to the collapse of his own organization and the conviction of numerous traffickers. His life after prison, including a memoir and documentary, and his death under witness protection, underscore the lasting impact of his criminal career and cooperation with authorities. The delayed public notice of his death highlights the secrecy surrounding his final years.

Did You Know?

• Barnes won a national poetry contest for federal inmates while in prison.
• He earned a college diploma with honors and taught fellow inmates English while incarcerated.
• His obituary appeared in The New York Times seven years after his death.
• Barnes was portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the film American Gangster (2007).