Tommy Lee Sparta’s Leaked Prison Photo Gives Fans “All The Motivation To Stay Out Of Prison”
An apparently leaked prison photo of Tommy Lee Sparta quickly made its way around social media yesterday. The photo showed the Dancehall deejay in beyond deplorable living conditions and it’s giving some fans pause if they ever considered a life of crime.
Tommy Lee, whose real name is Leroy Russell Junior, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm last month. The deejay received a reduced sentence after he pled guilty to the charges and avoided the maximum of 10 to 15 years.
Now it appears that he has been transferred to arguably one of the most ghastly looking prisons on the island, based on the “leaked” photo that has been picking up wind online. In the undated cellphone image, which seemed to be first shared by Twitter user @Tinmilk6 yesterday, the shirtless Rich Badness deejay was easily discernable despite half his face being covered by a makeshift bandana mask.
Though he looked ‘well,’ even posing and holding up gang signs with what appears to be a visitor, it was his surroundings that have triggered several horror-stricken comments from his fans.
Sparta’s prison cell is nothing but a small unpainted, filthy-looking concrete cubicle comprised of four concrete slabs to each side for beds and where the deejay apparently sleeps at night. It seems he shares the cell with another inmate whose feet can be seen in the corner of the shot along with their belongings inside; lots of empty water bottles, plastic containers, and random pieces of clothing used as coverings on the concrete beds.
To see one of Dancehall’s most celebrated deejays living like this has really struck a nerve with his fans. “Jah know mi artist, dis nuh look good at all,” said one person.
Another realized Lee’s sleeping quarters, saying, “Concrete the man dem sleep pon?”
Others joined in to comment on the state of the country’s prisons, “One day we need to talk about Jamaica’s deplorable prison system” and “Prison in Jamaica is really dirt, concrete dem sleep pon.”
For many, while they might have imagined what the local prisons looked like, were shocked to actually see the reality.
The comments continued, “For this reason, i will do no wrong, MY GOSH look at the place,” and “Lord, keep me on the good side of the law bcuz 🤮🤮🤮🤮,” another added.
More persons added, “Then me could leave me nice clean bed to go live inna this, so no to badness people. Outa road nice bad,” and “This a di only motivation mi ever need fi stay outta prison.”
“This demotivates me from ever committing a crime,” added another.
One person pointed out that taking photos in prison wasn’t necessitated nor done in his best interest. “A low profile is key when in lock up! No need for these photos. They won’t help his case. Prison a nuh bed of rose.”
Tommy Lee was given a five-year prison sentence; three years for illegal possession of a firearm and two years for illegal possession of ammunition on March 24 after pleading guilty. The sentences, however, are running concurrently so he will serve three years.
The deejay had been in police custody since he was arrested on December 14, after he was intercepted by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Specialized Operations on Holborn Road in St. Andrew, where the illegal firearm was discovered in his waistband.
Earlier this month, Sparta’s illegal gun was reportedly linked to the murders of well-known Dancehall personalities of the British Link Up Crew in 2019 – Owen Clarke, also known as Roy Fowl or Father Fowl and Alphanso Harriott, also known as Oney British. The firearm has also been connected to three cases of shooting with intent.
The deejay’s lawyer Donahue Martin has denied his client’s involvement in any “murders or acts of violence”.