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In this explosive Part 2 of his story, John “Poet” Thornton, known as Tampa’s Tony Montana, returns to the Honor Among Thieves Podcast to continue his unbelievable journey from underworld boss to time inside the Florida prison system.

Episode Highlights:

🌎 The Rise & The Network – Revisiting how Poet built a vast multi-state distribution pipeline stretching from Tampa to Louisiana, operating at a scale few could imagine.

🕵️ Power & Influence – How he managed local authorities and used his reach to move in elite circles, even supplying well-known public figures, including tech mogul John McAfee.

🔥 The Breaking Point – The betrayal that led to one of the darkest moments of his life, sending him fleeing across the border and ultimately getting caught while trying to return home.

⛓️ Life Behind the Walls – Poet recounts his dramatic sentencing, the emotional day he last saw his grandfather, and the decade he spent inside Florida State facilities where his reputation preceded him everywhere.

⚖️ Inside Prison Power – An unfiltered look at how alliances shaped life inside, including the influence of the Mexican Mafia and other prison gangs, and the unlikely respect Poet earned from leaders of opposing groups due to his reputation and loyalty.

🌟 From Infamy to Friendship – After his release, Poet formed an unlikely bond with his idol, George Jung (the inspiration for Blow starring Johnny Depp). Their friendship evolved into a mentor–mentee relationship, with Poet by George’s side during the final chapter of his life.

If you’re fascinated by true crime stories, prison culture, underworld history, and redemption arcs, this conversation delivers it all: betrayal, loyalty, survival, and the pursuit of legacy. Poet’s story is raw, larger than life, and filled with lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.

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Chapters

0:00 Intro

2:15 The Corrupt Cop and John McAfee

8:08 Signing For Life In Prison

16:21 Getting To Prison

24:40 The Gang Hierarchy At Liberty CI

37:45 Stories From Liberty CI

45:15 Quincy: The Next Prison

53:35 Avon Park: The Sweet Camp

1:12:01 Poet’s Run In With The Feds

1:23:04 Life After Prison

1:40:25 George Jung

1:52:35 Redemption

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