Dog In The Yard

Anthony H. Baptiste, known as Tone, transformed one of life's greatest setbacks into a story of resilience and redemption. Born in Queens, New York, and raised between Far Rockaway and Suffolk County, Tone spent years working behind the scenes in New York City's nightlife, helping coordinate events featuring some of hip-hop's biggest artists, including Nas, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Future, Fetty Wap, F...

Erico Montalvo's life took a dramatic turn in July 2015 while celebrating his 18th birthday in Providence, Rhode Island. According to Erico, he was robbed and assaulted that night. During the incident, while defending himself, another man lost his life. He was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder, beginning an eight-and-a-half-year legal battle before ultimately accepting a p...

Pistol Po is a rapper from the East Side of Chicago whose journey is a story of accountability, resilience, and reinvention. Raised on 79th Street, Pistol Po's life changed after being convicted in a federal conspiracy and drug trafficking case that resulted in a 30-month prison sentence. After returning home, he focused his energy on music and building a better future. His dedication eventually p...

Prince Dre is an artist from Chicago whose life changed after being accused in a high-profile firearms case that brought national attention and controversy. According to Prince Dre, he was accused of possessing eight firearms that he maintains were never in his possession. After being arrested in Las Vegas, he spent time incarcerated and says he was wrongfully held even after bonding out, while al...

Simon “Fresh” Busano Jr., known as LoMein Fresh, is proof that a person's past does not have to define their future. A Brooklyn native, fashion designer, and founder of LoMein Collection LLC, Fresh spent 10 years incarcerated before returning home with a vision to rebuild his life through entrepreneurship and creativity. Founded in 2011, LoMein Collection has become more than a clothing brand—it r...

OG Sharieff spent 39 years incarcerated before finally returning home on August 16, 2025. Raised between Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Projects and Harlem’s 140th Street and Convent Avenue, OG Sharieff grew up during a different era of New York City, surrounded by influential figures and a rapidly changing culture. After serving nearly four decades on a murder and weapons case, he now faces the challenge...

Elliott Carterr is using journalism to expose the realities of the justice system from the inside out. Born and raised in Staten Island, Elliott previously served 36 months in state prison for a home invasion case an experience that completely reshaped his outlook on life and justice. After returning home, he founded LFTG Radio, The Gutter Report, and The Gutter Justice Project, creating platforms...

Kia has transformed her life into a mission rooted in advocacy, empowerment, and change.  Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood, Kia became involved in the streets at a young age, leading to multiple incarcerations beginning in her teens. While her environment shaped many of her early decisions, her story did not end there. Since returning home in 2012, Kia has rebuilt her life with...

Eric T. Bryant, known as Peso’s, knows what it means to lose years and fight to rebuild. Born in Brooklyn and raised between New York and Jersey City, Peso’s life changed in 2003 after facing an attempted murder charge that ultimately led him into the federal system in 2004.  After spending nearly a decade incarcerated, he returned home in 2013 with a different mindset and a new purpose. He first...

DJ Hercules is a Puerto Rican DJ from the Polo Grounds Projects in Harlem whose life was shaped by loss, survival, and the power of music. After losing both parents and growing up in group homes throughout New York City, DJ Hercules found purpose in music and built a name for himself through resilience and relentless drive. What began in survival became a career that led him to share stages with a...

Kevin “Kareem” Brooks is a researcher and advocate who spent over 24 years incarcerated and now focuses on examining the long-term impact of prison on individuals and communities. While serving his sentence, Kareem pursued higher education and earned a degree in Social Sciences, using that foundation to critically analyze the systems that shaped his experience. Today, his work centers on what he c...

David Ruiz, known as Trust Mula, is a Brooklyn native from the Marlboro Projects whose life reflects the consequences of early decisions and the power of transformation. Choosing the streets at just 13 years old, he spent over 16½ years incarcerated, separated from his family and caught in a cycle of prison and street life. After his release in July 2024, Trust Mula made a commitment to change his...

Jahliek Tyson, known as “The Paperwork God,” is an entrepreneur, speaker, and creator who transformed 16 years of incarceration into a mission to educate and empower others. After early involvement in the streets and multiple arrests starting at age 16, Jahliek served over a decade in state prison before later returning on a federal gun charge. During his time at FCI Allenwood, he made a decision...

Samuel “Baby Sam” Edmonson is a Brooklyn native whose case has drawn national attention in discussions surrounding wrongful convictions, witness testimony, and the criminal justice system. Convicted in 1990 and sentenced to 75 years to life, Baby Sam spent 33 years in prison before his conviction was vacated in 2022 following witness recantations and questions about the reliability of the original...

Edward L. “Boo” Andrews is a sociologist, author, lecturer, and urban trauma specialist from the Red Hook Projects in Brooklyn, New York. After being sentenced to 33 years in prison and serving 22 years for murder, Boo returned home determined to transform his experience into purpose. Today he is the Founder and CEO of the Second Chance Re-Entry Initiative Program (SCRIP), an organization dedicate...

Smurkz grew up in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood on the Darkside. At just 19 years old, he was arrested and sentenced to 40 years to life for murder. During his time inside the New York State prison system, Smurkz was transferred through multiple facilities including Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, Upstate’s SHU, Attica, and Groveland. While fighting his original case, he also caught...

Porsche Truck Ruk, known as Ruk, is an artist and entrepreneur from Schenectady, New York. After being charged in a federal R.I.C.O. drug trafficking case and sentenced to 120 months in prison, he served 10 years before returning home determined to rebuild his life. Now home, Ruk is an MMA fighter, rapper, promoter, and business owner. He founded Elite Juice Parlor, launched a Redemption Center an...

Shawn Robert Johnson was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and raised in Asbury Park and Neptune. A gifted basketball player in his youth, his life took a different direction in his early teens when he became involved in the streets. In 2006, Shawn was arrested on a murder charge, with an attempted murder charge later added. After maintaining self-defense throughout trial, he was sentenced to 60 ye...

Pena The Mentor shares his journey from growing up in the Patterson Projects of the South Bronx to federal prison and ultimately finding purpose through mentorship and community service. After early incarceration, luxury living, and deep ties within the reggaeton music industry, Pena faced an 11½-year federal sentence. During his time inside, he endured the loss of his mother a moment that reshape...

Anthony Colón Sr., known as Scarface, is a Bronx native, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose life includes more than two decades spent incarcerated across state and federal systems. Growing up on 188th Street and Marion Avenue, Anthony served four prison bids totaling 22½ years for charges related to drugs, assault, financial crimes, and organized schemes. His incarceration experience spann...

Eric Benson, known as EB, is a Bronx native, entrepreneur, and credible messenger whose life was shaped by early exposure to the streets and transformed through accountability and education. At 20 years old, EB was sentenced to 25 years to life for taking another young man’s life. He spent more than 27 years incarcerated, where he made a conscious decision to change. Entering prison without a GED,...

Emmanuel Pierre-Louis, known as “Supreme,” is a Queens-born entrepreneur, certified CMS practitioner, and community leader whose life bridges business, culture, and violence prevention. After returning home from incarceration, Supreme built First Choice Enterprises, launching ventures across fashion, music, nightlife, and retail that gained national visibility and celebrity support. His brands and...

Wise Money is a financial educator and entrepreneur who turned adversity into opportunity after overcoming a federal prison sentence. With limited formal education, Wise Money fought and won his own federal appeal, earning his freedom and using that second chance to completely transform his life. Since returning home, he has dedicated himself to financial education, mindset development, and helpin...

Joe Avianne, born Yosef Aranbayev, is a New York City based jeweler and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and public face of Avianne & Co. Jewelers, a custom jewelry brand that emerged from Manhattan’s Diamond District and became closely connected to hip-hop and pop culture.  After immigrating from Uzbekistan and growing up in Brooklyn, Joe entered the jewelry business at a young age....

Born Charly Wingate and raised in Harlem, Max B helped shape a sound, language, and movement that influenced an entire generation of street music. His creativity and individuality made him impossible to ignore and even during years away from the spotlight, his influence never faded. Recently released from prison, Max B joins Dog In The Yard for an exclusive conversation focused on clarifying his u...