SnitchCraft

Family is the motivating force behind John JC Powell. The flamboyant, smooth-talking, country boy persuades his militant brother, Paul, to leave a comfortable life in Harlem to move to Long Beach going for the big time. The duo quickly find out that the glitz and glamour they’re in search of is reserved for a chosen few, and Angels are outnumbered by Devils in the LBC. After numerous setbacks, JC finally transforms a seedy illicit dive into one of the most profitable nightclubs in Southern California. JC is making more money than he can count, providing for his entire family, and on the verge of winning back the love of his life, Candace Banks; totally unaware that all of the work to establish a legitimate, profitable, family business would soon be undermined by a snitch. When he’s arrested, convicted, and imprisoned based on the testimony of someone he trusted, JC struggles to clear his name and get back over two million dollars in assets seized by the government. As the pieces of the puzzle come together in a surprising courtroom drama, JC realizes that he is caught up in a ruthless game, playing against a criminal justice system set up to win by any means necessary. An After the Book Section includes a reader’s guide of discussion questions, suggested actions people can take to impact criminal justice issues, and a resource guide listing organizations working to change the criminal justice system.