Locked In with Ian Bick

I Was a Latin King — This Is How I Survived Prison | Steven Johnson

Feb 5, 2026
Guest
Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson, former Latin Kings chapter president turned podcaster and speaker, shares his journey from gang life to prison and ultimately walking away. He recounts childhood instability, rising in the gang, violent incidents and transfers, the shock of dropping his colors behind bars, and how family and steady work rebuilt his path to a lawful life.
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ANECDOTE

From Local Crew To Latin Kings Leader

  • Steven recounts forming a local crew, then being recruited into the Latin Kings and quickly rising to a leadership position.
  • Leadership gave him purpose, responsibilities, and a band-of-brothers feeling that filled gaps from his broken family.
INSIGHT

Leadership Raises Exposure And Risk

  • Being a chapter president meant absorbing others' problems, which quickly made Steven visible to police and rival crews.
  • Leadership responsibilities increased risk, limited normal friendships, and made escape from street life harder.
ANECDOTE

Missing A Child During Incarceration

  • Steven shares the pain of missing his newborn son's early life while jailed and seeing his son's mother leave.
  • He saw that loss as a turning point motivating him to change when he later regained custody opportunities.
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