| Frank Matthews: "The Ghost" Profile | |
|---|---|
| Full Name / Aliases | Frank Larry Matthews (Black Caesar, Pee Wee) |
| Born | February 13, 1944 (Durham, NC) |
| Historic Address | 130 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY |
| Status | Vanished since July 1973 |
| Last Known Assets | Estimated $15 - $20 Million in cash |
| Agency Search | DEA, U.S. Marshals (Top Priority) |
Since July 1973, the criminal underworld and federal agencies have been haunted by a singular mystery: is Frank Matthews still alive? Known as “The Ghost,” Matthews didn’t just escape the law; he vanished with a fortune that remains the stuff of legend. While other kingpins like Bumpy Johnson or Nicky Barnes became household names through prison sentences or cooperation, Frank Larry Matthews chose total silence.
By utilizing dozens of aliases to cloak his movements, Matthews built a drug empire that dwarfed his contemporaries, only to walk away from it all at the height of his power. Today, the question of whether Frank Matthews is still alive remains the ultimate cold case of the American drug war.
FRANK LARRY MATTHEWS: THE RISE OF BLACK CAESAR
Born on February 13, 1944, in Durham, North Carolina, Matthews was a natural leader from a young age. His journey into the world of hustling started small; as a 17-year-old in 1961, he was known for stealing chickens from local farmers and selling them on his own. This early drive for independence would later define his criminal career as the Black Caesar.
THE APARTMENT AT 130 CLARKSON AVENUE
When Matthews moved his operations to New York, he exhibited a level of audacity rarely seen. He lived and operated out of 130 Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn. In an incredible twist, Matthews shared this apartment building with a detective. While law enforcement agents were hunting “The Ghost” across state lines, he was literally walking the same hallways as a member of the force. His use of various names, including Frank Larry Matthews, allowed him to hide in plain sight, successfully insulating his massive operation from direct federal reach.
THE $15 MILLION ESCAPE: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN JULY 1973?
The legend of the Frank Matthews net worth is anchored by one cinematic moment. On June 26, 1973, just days before his official disappearance, a man and a woman walked into a bank. Unbeknownst to most, a federal prosecutor followed them, watching from a distance. Matthews approached the teller and reportedly emptied his accounts, walking out with an estimated $20 million in cash.
This withdrawal occurred while Matthews was out on a record-breaking $325,000 bond following an arrest in Las Vegas. He realized that a judge’s mistake had allowed him a temporary window of freedom, and he didn’t waste it. In July 1973, when he was scheduled for a court appearance, Matthews was already gone. He didn’t just flee; he liquidated his empire and became the first high-profile African American kingpin to beat the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) at their own game.
FRANK MATTHEWS VS. FRANK LUCAS: CLEARING THE CONFUSION
A persistent question among true crime enthusiasts is: is Frank Lucas and Frank Matthews the same person? The answer is a resounding no. While the movie American Gangster made Frank Lucas a global icon, historical records and investigators confirm that Frank Matthews was a much larger drug dealer than Frank Lucas.
While Lucas localized his power in Harlem with his “Blue Magic” brand, Matthews controlled a national network spanning over 20 states. He was the first to bypass the Mafia and deal directly with the “French Connection.” Unlike Lucas, who eventually cooperated with authorities, Matthews never snitched—he simply disappeared, leaving a void that would later be filled by the Council.
BARBARA HINTON AND THE DISAPPEARANCE: DID THEY GET AWAY TOGETHER?
The mystery of his disappearance is deeply tied to his personal life. For years, search efforts focused on what happened to Frank Matthews wife Barbara Hinton. Federal records highlight Hinton as the key figure, yet a compelling discrepancy exists.
CHERYL VS. BARBARA HINTON: THE MYSTERY PARTNER
While records name Barbara, other sources—including research by podcast host Val—point to a woman named Cheryl (often linked to the name Cheryl Brown Frank Matthews). On the day of the escape, a pivotal phone call was made: “Cheryl, package shake… we out of here.” Cheryl reportedly answered, “Come get me.” This raises the chilling question: With whom did he really flee? Whether it was Barbara or Cheryl, they vanished together, leaving behind families and children to face the fallout. This uncertainty only adds to the “Ghost” persona, leaving fans to wonder if Frank Matthews’ wife is still alive and living in luxury somewhere far from the DEA’s reach.
FRANK MATTHEWS TODAY: WAS HE EVER FOUND?
To this day, the answer to was Frank Matthews ever found remains “No.” His lieutenants, such as “Big Head Brother” and “Lady Jones,” were left to face the music, receiving sentences of 20 and 30 years respectively, while their leader escaped.
THE FRANK MATTHEWS STORY: SEARCHING FOR THE GHOST
So, where is Frank Matthews today? Investigative theories suggest a precise escape route: a flight to Texas followed by a second flight to the Bahamas. If he survived his failing heart and the threats from the mob, he would be in his early 80s today.
Despite numerous documentaries like The Frank Matthews Story, “Black Caesar” remains a ghost. Some speculate he died of natural causes or was eliminated by the Mafia, but until a body is found or a confession is made, Frank Larry Matthews remains the only man to have truly beaten the system and disappeared into the wind.