Leo Sharp

Leo Sharp
Born
Leo Earl Sharp

(1924-05-07)May 7, 1924
Michigan City, Indiana, US
DiedDecember 12, 2016(2016-12-12) (aged 92)
Michigan, US
Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Other namesEl Tata
Occupation(s)Florist
Drug courier for the Sinaloa Cartel
Conviction(s)Drug trafficking
Criminal penalty3 years, federal prison
Capture status
Deceased
Date apprehended
October 21, 2011
Imprisoned at2014–2015, released after 1 year for humanitarian reasons
Notes

Leonard Sharp (May 7, 1924 – December 12, 2016) was an American World War II veteran and notorious drug courier, or "mule". He transported drugs, mostly cocaine, across the United States, mostly to and from the southern US border and Detroit, Michigan. He allegedly transported more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine during his years of dealing.

Notoriety

He was widely considered by the Sinaloa cartel and DEA authorities as an urban legend in Detroit until his arrest in 2013. He pleaded not guilty in October 2013 and was sentenced to three years in prison in May 2014. Sharp was the oldest drug mule in the world. He was released from prison in 2015 due to poor health.

Personal life

Sharp was born in Michigan City, Indiana. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He fought in World War II and received a Bronze Star Medal for his service.

Sharp had dementia. He died of the natural causes related to the disease on December 12, 2016 in Michigan at the age of 92.

The 2018 movie The Mule is based on Sharp's life, with Clint Eastwood playing "Earl Stone" (based on Sharp).

References

  1. ↑ Goudie, Chuck (12 August 2015). "91-year-old drug mule Leo Sharp released early from prison". WLS-TV. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  2. ↑ "WWII vet Leo Sharp facing sentencing on 90th birthday for 1,000-pounds cocaine haul". UPI.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Leo Sharp, Drug Courier, Back In Court For Sentence On 90th Birthday". Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Michigan Drug "Mule" Leo Sharp Gets Three Years on 90th Birthday". NBC News.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Leo Sharp, Cocaine Courier And War Hero, Sentenced On 90th Birthday". Huffington Post.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  6. ↑ Leo Sharp epitaph: He was the world's oldest drug mule abc7chicago.com
  7. ↑ Yamato, Jen (November 4, 2014). "Ruben Fleischer To Direct Movie About 90-Year-Old Drug Mule". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  8. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (February 24, 2015). "'The Judge' Writer Nick Schenk to Adapt Elderly Drug Mule Tale for 'Zombieland' Director (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  9. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (January 30, 2018). "Clint Eastwood Circling 90-Year-Old Drug Courier Tale "The Mule" at Warner Bros., Imperative (Exclusive)". The Tracking Board. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2018.

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