Charles “Big Penny” Gaines
Charles Joseph Gaines (born January 28, 1962 in San Francisco, California) was leader and founder of Mercy Street Gang(Families).
Born: January 28, 1962(49) San Francisco, California
Alias(es): Big Penny
Spouse: Unknown
Children: 11
Conviction(s): Aggravated Assault, Auto-theft, RICO, Murder
Penalty: Took a plea bargain and spend four years behind bars before entering the witness protection program.
Status: Unknown
Early Life
Charles was born in San Francisco, California in 1962. He would spend eight years out there before relocating to cities. He would finally settle down on 39. Wilbert street. There he befriend Douglas “Doug” Jackson in band class. They would meet Travis “Stable” Mills from Charles older cousin Zachariah. Charles would hang at the local skate rink to pass time. During that time he came up with the idea of starting a club where people his age could hang and mingle. His club grow from a simple 3 to 50. They made custom jackets and had annual meeting at Charles's grandmother house. At this time Zachariah used the club to help support his drug trade. The club was said to have no leader but was just self lead and actually stand on there original principles of a peaceful non gang type club.
Change Came To Mercy Street
They started in 1981 on Mercy Street and Taylor Boulevard as the Mercy Street Boys club. They elevate to other sections of the city forming echo crews under the Mercy Street Boy's banner. In 1983 or 84 a gang known as Glen Road Project's started targeting black gang members. Unsure if Mercy Street was a gang or not they add them as a target on the street. They would jump or shoot at them. Charles responded fast by leading a group of ten members to a Glen Road house party. They would break up the party and start a fight that lasted until the police came. Charles and other members was locked up. But Charles was placed with the blame and spent a short time behind bars. Taking the blame asserted Charles as the leader of Mercy Street if not to the police then to the streets. His name would carry as the leader until the 90's. While behind bars Glen Road would seek retaliation for the fight by stabbing Zachariah to death. Charles would hear about the stabbing days later. He formed alliance with the Hoodlums gang and the Zero's. Mercy Street's would fight back against Glen Road behind Charles leadership. Charles used his membership to take over small toe holds in the city. Charles eventually rose as a drug lord in the city supplying 59 percent of marijuana. In the 90's Charles's Mercy Street gang rose as a top competitor in all avenues. He would survive five attacks on his life. But in 1994 Charles would be caught on a murder charge and threaten with life imprisonment. He took a plea bargain that resulted in RICO against Mercy Street. Charles would only spend four years in prison leaving in 2000 and he has since been in the witness protection.
Jail Time
Charles was victim of two attacks while behind bars. He would use his time behind bars to receive his g.e.d degree. He also spent time writing documents of his life in as a book. He even wrote a script on the forming of Mercy Streets. Yet is known if his writings will be published or screen.