Let me tell you about Hollywood, a 19-year-old Zaza dealer who thought he had everything figured out—until one bad decision sent him down a path to life in prison.
Hollywood was a big name in his neighborhood, always running his business, collecting cash. One day, he needs to collect $1,200 from a guy in his crew named Ben. But when Hollywood and his gang roll up to Ben’s house, Ben isn’t there. Instead, they find his 15-year-old half-brother, Nick. Now, Nick’s not involved in gang life at all, but Hollywood, trying to make a point, decides to target him instead.
So what do they do? They rough Nick up, toss him into the back of a van, and drive off—essentially kidnapping him. Hours later, Nick’s parents realize he’s missing and call the police, but by then, Hollywood’s crew is already 70 miles away, in Santa Barbara.
Here’s the wild part—Hollywood’s gang doesn’t even know what to do with Nick. They give him alcohol and other substances, trying to chill him out. Over the next few days, they take him to different parties, including one at a motel pool. Surprisingly, Nick starts to enjoy himself. He’s hanging with older kids, drinking, meeting people, even developing a crush on a girl he meets. At this point, Nick almost forgets he’s been kidnapped.
But while Nick’s living it up, Hollywood starts to freak out. He realizes what he’s done and knows if they get caught, he’s facing some serious time. So, Hollywood goes to a family friend who’s an attorney, hoping for advice. The attorney tells him straight up: “You’re screwed. If you get caught, you’re all looking at life in prison.”
Panicked, Hollywood decides he has to take drastic action. He calls up a guy named Ryan Hoyt, who owes him money, and offers him a deal: if Ryan kills Nick, his debt will be cleared. Ryan, desperate to settle his debt, agrees. Hollywood hands him a duffel bag with an automatic weapon inside, and the plan is set in motion.
Meanwhile, Nick thinks the gang’s about to let him go. But instead, they drive him into the mountains near Santa Barbara. They bind him with duct tape, take him to a shallow grave they’ve already dug, and then it happens. Ryan hits Nick over the head with a shovel, and as Nick falls, Ryan pulls out the gun. Nine shots later, Nick is dead. They bury him in the shallow grave and take off.
But here’s the problem—the grave is too shallow, and it’s near a popular hiking trail. Within days, hikers spot Nick’s body and alert the authorities. The news hits the papers, and tips start flooding in. People had seen Nick at those parties, and the girl he had a crush on? She goes straight to the police, telling them everything.
It doesn’t take long for the police to start rounding people up. Bam—they arrest Ryan Hoyt, and here’s his mug shot. Soon, they arrest several other gang members. But by the time the police close in, Hollywood is gone. He’s already fled the country—first to Canada, then to Brazil. The FBI gets involved, launching a manhunt that lasts four years.
Finally, they track him down in Brazil, where Hollywood’s been living a new life. And bam, they arrest him. Here’s his mug shot. Hollywood’s sentenced to life in prison without parole. As for Ryan Hoyt, he originally gets the death penalty, but it’s later commuted to life in prison. Another gang member gets life, while two others receive lighter sentences and are already out.
And that’s the end of Hollywood’s rise and fall—from local Zaza dealer to life behind bars.
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