In Randy Brown’s MMA journey, few moments have carried as much significance as the opportunity to fight in the UFC while his father watches him perform. This may not appear extraordinary to most fighters, but Brown’s father has been behind bars for more than three decades. Although he has remained a constant presence in his son’s life, he has only recently been able to witness his fights. Currently incarcerated at USP Lewisburg, a medium-security Federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania, Brown’s father was sentenced under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Brown shed light on his father’s situation during an appearance on The MMA Hour, explaining, “He was someone they wanted to target under organized crime. Over time, they gradually built a case against him, as he was involved in operations related to drug trafficking, robberies, extortion, and various other activities. Eventually, they caught him under RICO, and he received three life sentences.”
Passed into law in 1970, the RICO Act was established to impose severe penalties for criminal acts committed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
Following the conviction, Brown’s mother was deported to Jamaica, where he grew up. Despite the geographical distance, Brown maintained his relationship with his father through phone calls and visits whenever he returned to the United States, including when he moved back to America to complete high school.
He emphasized, “I’ve seen him a lot. Almost twice a month. Many people don’t realize that I’ve had my dad in my life the entire time, even when I was sent to Jamaica. We would speak almost every day. And when I came back to America during the summers, they would take me to visit him.”
While having his father incarcerated for almost his entire life has been challenging, Brown believes there is finally a chance for their family to be reunited if an upcoming parole hearing goes in their favor.
“He has one more hearing coming up,” Brown revealed. “It’s scheduled for this summer. He has already had a few, and he was previously denied. However, he has not had any incidents in the past 20 years. He has been actively involved in numerous programs and mentoring initiatives, achieving a lot during his time there. At this point, he no longer poses a threat to society.”
“He’s a changed man,” Brown continued. “He has devoted his life to faith. I believe he has served his time. He has spent a significant portion of his life behind bars, and many laws have changed since then. Certain activities, like the transportation of marijuana, are no longer illegal. I believe that much of his time served pertains to those offenses, and now he should be granted freedom to be with his family, including his grandchildren, and to witness the growth of my son and future children.”
Although nothing is guaranteed with the parole hearing, Brown remains hopeful that his father will soon be released from prison.
“He has transformed in many ways,” Brown affirmed. “I’m not justifying the things that were done. He did what he knew at the time. As an immigrant who came from Jamaica to New York, he found a way, albeit not the best way. When he discusses why he went to jail and why he served time, he always says he did it for all of us. He sacrificed himself to try and improve our situation, and in some ways, he succeeded.”
Brown continues to utilize his own fighting career as a means to reshape the narrative surrounding his family name. With a 12-year-old son at home, Brown strives to be a positive role model and set an example, which holds greater significance to him than any fight he competes in within the octagon.
“As an MMA fighter, my mission is to redefine the legacy of the Brown name,” he explained. “This small thing I do, my goal is to transform my entire family’s story for the better.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about prison release
Q: How long has Randy Brown’s father been in prison?
A: Randy Brown’s father has been in prison for over 30 years.
Q: Why was Randy Brown’s father incarcerated?
A: Randy Brown’s father was incarcerated under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act for his involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking, robberies, and extortion.
Q: Where is Randy Brown’s father currently serving his sentence?
A: Randy Brown’s father is currently serving his sentence at USP Lewisburg, a medium-security Federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania.
Q: How has Randy Brown maintained a relationship with his father while he’s been in prison?
A: Despite the distance, Randy Brown has stayed in constant contact with his father through phone calls and visits, even during his time in Jamaica and upon his return to the United States.
Q: Is there a possibility of Randy Brown’s father being released from prison?
A: Yes, there is hope for Randy Brown’s father to be released. He has an upcoming parole hearing, and Randy Brown is optimistic about the possibility of his father’s release due to his positive conduct and involvement in various programs while incarcerated.
Q: How has Randy Brown used his fighting career to change the narrative surrounding his family name?
A: Randy Brown aims to be a positive role model and set an example through his fighting career, seeking to redefine the legacy of the Brown name and transform his family’s story for the better.
More about prison release
- The MMA Hour Interview
- RICO Act Overview
- USP Lewisburg Information
- Prison Reform and Parole
- Impact of Incarceration on Families
2 comments
randy brown’s dad doing time for over 30 yrs?? damn, dat’s a long stretch. but it’s cool to see how they stayed close all these years. fingers crossed for his parole hearing, hope he gets to see his fam again.
big respect to Randy Brown for stayin’ connected to his dad while he was in prison. it’s not easy, mon. hope the parole hearing goes well and his dad can come home. family is everyting.