GUY FISHER: THE HARLEM KINGPIN WHO BOUGHT THE APOLLO AND EARNED A PHD IN PRISON
INFAMY - A TRUE CRIME PODCAST
| Dr. Guy Fisher: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Guy T. Fisher |
| Organization | The Council (Harlem) |
| Known For | First Black Owner of the Apollo Theater (1977) |
| Rival/Associate | Leroy "Nicky" Barnes |
| Prison Education | PhD in Sociology (2008) |
| Current Status | Released (October 2020) |
Before the violent era of crack cocaine defined by figures like Alpo Martinez and Rich Porter, and long before the sadistic reign of Clarence Heatley, Harlem was ruled by a different breed of criminal. They were organized, business-minded, and ruthlessly efficient. At the center of this web was Guy Fisher, a man who shattered the mold of the typical street hustler.
Fisher is unique in the annals of crime history not just for his rise, but for his investments. He didn’t just buy cars and jewelry; he bought history. He is recorded as the first African American to own the world-famous Apollo Theater.
However, his empire crumbled due to a violation of the street code involving Nicky Barnes, leading to a life sentence that spanned decades. Today, rumors swirl regarding his status. Is Guy Fisher still in jail? Or has the former kingpin found redemption?
In this deep dive, we explore the rise of “The Council,” the betrayal that brought it down, and the shocking truth about where is Guy Fisher now.
THE RISE OF THE COUNCIL: NICKY BARNES AND GUY FISHER
In the 1970s, the heroin trade in New York City was undergoing a seismic shift. The Italian Mafia’s grip was loosening, and black kingpins were taking control of the supply chain. While names like Frank Lucas (famous for the Blue Magic Brand) operated independently, Leroy “Nicky” Barnes had a different vision.
Barnes, often called “Mr. Untouchable,” formed “The Council” (or The Council of 7), a syndicate of Harlem’s biggest drug dealers modeled after the Mafia Commission. Guy Fisher was a founding member and arguably the sharpest business mind in the group.
The Council controlled the flow of heroin throughout Harlem, The Bronx, and beyond. They pooled their resources to buy pure product in bulk, maximizing profits and minimizing street warfare. But while Barnes courted the spotlight, posing for magazine covers, Fisher looked for ways to wash his money into legitimate assets.
GUY FISHER APOLLO THEATER: SAVING A LANDMARK
The most audacious move in Fisher’s criminal career wasn’t a drug deal; it was a real estate transaction. Guy Fisher Apollo Theater is a keyword that still baffles historians: how did a drug lord end up owning 125th Street’s crown jewel?
By 1976, the Apollo Theater had gone bankrupt and closed its doors. It was on the verge of being turned into a parking lot. Fisher saw an opportunity. In 1977, using proceeds from the heroin trade, he purchased the theater.
Because he was already under federal scrutiny, Fisher couldn’t put his name on the deed. Instead, the building was purchased under the name of his attorney and his step-brother, Wallace. Fisher didn’t just buy the building; he invested heavily in it. He poured money into renovations, installing a new sound system, fixing the dressing rooms, and bringing dignity back to the venue. For a brief moment, the drug money of Harlem was keeping its culture alive.
THE BETRAYAL: THELMA GRANT AND THE RICO ACT
The downfall of The Council did not come from the police initially, but from within. The rivalry—or rather, the personal betrayal—between Nicky Barnes and Guy Fisher is legendary.
When Nicky Barnes was arrested and sent to federal prison (initially Marion and Lewisburg), the day-to-day operations fell to his associates. During this time, Fisher began an affair with Thelma Grant, Barnes’ mistress and later wife.
This was a violation of the street code. When Barnes discovered that Fisher was sleeping with his woman while he sat in a cell, he decided to exact the ultimate revenge. Barnes turned informant. He provided federal prosecutors with the evidence needed to indict The Council under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations).
In 1983, the trial concluded. Based largely on Barnes’ testimony, Guy Fisher and other members of The Council were convicted. Fisher was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The government seized his assets, including the Apollo Theater.
IS GUY FISHER STILL IN JAIL? THE RELEASE DATE
For nearly four decades, the answer to “Is Guy Fisher still in jail” was a resounding yes. He spent the majority of his life in maximum and medium-security Federal Correctional Institutions, including Ray Brook.
However, the story has a recent twist. Guy Fisher is no longer in jail.
After serving 38 years, Fisher’s sentence was commuted. On his release date in October 2020, a judge granted him clemency. The decision was based on several factors:
His advanced age.
Health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in prison.
His impeccable behavior during nearly 40 years of incarceration.
FROM KINGPIN TO DR. FISHER (PHD)
While in prison, Fisher did not remain the man he was on the streets. He dedicated his life to education, achieving a feat that is statistically almost impossible for a lifer.
He first earned his Bachelor’s degree, followed by his Master’s. Finally, in May 2008, while still behind bars, he reached the pinnacle of academia: he earned a PhD in Sociology.
He is now referred to as Dr. Guy Fisher. He often cites a quote by Malcolm X to describe his transformation: “There’s nothing wrong with being a criminal, but it is a crime if, in fact, you remain one.”
WHERE IS GUY FISHER NOW?
Since his release in 2020, Fisher has kept a lower profile than his former associate Nicky Barnes (who died in witness protection). For those asking “where is Guy Fisher now,” reports confirm he was released to his sister’s home in Florida.
Unlike many of his contemporaries who died in the streets or in prison cells, Dr. Guy Fisher managed to survive the game, the betrayal, and the system, returning to society as a free man and a scholar.