Clarence “Preacher” Heatley is a convicted American criminal and former drug kingpin. He used to lead one of the most violent gangs in New York during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Clarence “Preacher” Heatley is highly recognized as the leader of The Preacher Crew, and they were involved in a crime such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and multiple murders.
Clarence Heatley’s Criminal Empire and Its Brutal Legacy
Clarence “Preacher” Heatley dominated the drug trafficking scene, throughout New York City, for a few years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Preacher ran a violent crew known as The Preacher Crew, which was later dubbed The Black Hand of Death, led an organized crime ring which struck fear, death and destruction, throughout the Bronx and Harlem.
Heatley’s crew was not seen as a traditional drug trafficking crew. Their infamy was based on the extortion, kidnapping, torture, and murder they perpetrated. Heatley’s gang operated out of abandoned spaces and apartments that they rigged up to serve as prisons and torture chambers. Heatley and his crew’s victims were frequently kidnapped for ransom, many of these victims died as the result of the group's operations.
One of their more chilling crimes was the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Donnell Porter, who was the younger brother of Harlem drug dealer Rich Porter. Although a ransom was demanded, and part of Porter's finger was cut off and delivered to his family as proof of life, Heatley and his crew ended up murdering him.
His fall ended in 1996, when he was identified through a joint investigation led by the FBI, DEA, NYPD and IRS. In 1999 Heatley pled guilty to 13 murders, racketeering and conspiracy to kidnap, thus avoiding death, and is now serving multiple life sentences at FCI Talladega, Alabama.
Heatley's legacy still serves as a chilling reminder to delegitimize our personal communities, especially the potential depths of organized crime to assimilate and devastate. Heatley’s life and exploits have been featured in documentaries and criminal television programs over the years, including Very Scary People and Gangsters: America’s Most Evil.
Who Is Clarence Heatley? Wikipedia, Age & Parents
Clarence “Preacher” Heatley is a popular criminal and former drug kingpin during the 1980s and 1990s. He led the "Preacher Crew," a violent gang involved in drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder, primarily operating in Harlem and the Bronx.
Clarence Heatley has become one of the trending topics on the internet. Many people are searching for his Wikipedia page and biography details. However, Clarence Heatley is yet to be featured on the Wikipedia page.
The former criminal was born and raised by his parents in Harlem, New York City, in the United States of America. The identity of his parents is unknown in the media. Clarence Heatley loves to keep his personal life a secret and avoid the media’s eyes. Similarly, no details are available about his siblings.
Clarence Heatley was born in 1953, making him 72 years of age as of 2025. However, his actual birthdate and zodiac sign remain a mystery. Furthermore, Clarence Heatley holds an American nationality and belongs to a Mixed ethnicity. In addition, he follows the Christian religion.
His approximate height is around 6 feet 4 inches 1.93 m tall, and he has a decent weight of about 93 kg or 205 lbs. There is no information available about his educational background.
Clarence Heatley’s Girlfriend
Clarence Heatley was not legally married. There is no information about his wife’s details in the public media. However, he had a long-term relationship with a woman who was integral to his criminal operations. The name and identity of his girlfriend is unknown in the media.
In their relationship, Clarence Heatley and his girlfriend have two children, a son named Shaka and a daughter. The information about his daughter is unknown at the moment. The family was deeply involved in Heatley’s illicit activities, leading to the organization being colloquially known as "The Family.