Former Convicted Drug Lord Changes Life and Shares His Testimony for June 19 Event

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The city of Tyler kicked off June with an event featuring a Tyler native who turned his life around after being sentenced to prison for being a drug lord.

The Tyler Legends reunion celebration featured Freeway Ricky Ross who gave a message of redemption.

“I sold drugs to everyone, but I didn’t want anyone to sell them to my family, and after thinking about it, if you don’t want anyone to sell them to your family, why would you sell to theirs ? » Ross said.

While living in Los Angeles, Ross was considered one of the country’s biggest drug lords.

However, it was until the age of 28 and in prison that he learned to read. Ross later became a prison lawyer, won his appeal and received a reduced sentence.

“He studied law and he was really the force behind him getting his conviction overturned and getting him out and not serving a life sentence,” said Virlinda Stanton, of Overcomer’s For Life Corporation.

Ross has been a free man for nearly 20 years, partnering with local organizations to tell his story of perseverance and promote education.

“I have read over 300 books. Once I read those books, I realized I had the potential that anyone alive had, all I had to do was apply myself,” Ross said.

Ross uses his testimony with adults and especially young children to say that the street is not the path to follow.

“They need to become critical thinkers. They must be able to think for themselves, understand what life means, what they want to achieve and plan for their future. If we follow the street code that many of us have followed, it will take you to the grave or the penitentiary and the penitentiary is the better side,” Ross said.

Tyler Mayor Don Warren signed a proclamation declaring June 13 “Ricky Ross Highway Day.” Ross was also given the key to the city.