10 Most Infamous Criminals Released In 2024 and Those Expected To Be Free SOON
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VOICE OVER: Patrick Mealey
WRITTEN BY: Don Ekama
From drug kingpins to crypto moguls, we're counting down the most notable individuals who've served time and are set for release in 2024-25. Join us as we explore the stories of these high-profile inmates, their crimes, and their paths to freedom. Our list includes Big Meech, Rayful Edmond III, YFN Lucci, Changpeng Zhao, Young Thug, Steve Bannon, Yolanda Saldívar, the Menendez Brothers, and Julian Assange. Which release surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Famous People Released from Prison This Year 2024-25
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most notable individuals who served time in prison, and either already have or could potentially secure their release between 2024 and 2025.
Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory
In 1985, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and his brother Terry founded the Black Mafia Family, creating one of the most notorious drug trafficking rings in the United States. Their operations soon drew federal attention, and by 2008, both brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison for trafficking and money laundering. In 2020, they sought early release due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, only Terry’s request was granted. Flenory, on the other hand, remained behind bars until October 16th 2024, when he was allowed to leave federal prison and serve the remainder of his time at a residential reentry program. His official sentence concludes in January 2026.
Rayful Edmond III
In the 1980s, the drug epidemic in Washington D.C. was largely fueled by one man: Rayful Edmond III. By his early 20s, Edmond had already built a drug empire, raking in around $300 million annually. In 1989, when he was just 24, Edmond was arrested on numerous charges including drug trafficking, operating a criminal enterprise and racketeering. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, even behind bars, Edmond continued to deal drugs and after he was caught, he struck a deal with the government, agreeing to become an informant. In July 2024, after decades behind bars, Edmond was granted early release and transferred to a halfway house at an unknown location in either Kentucky or Tennessee.
Kingsley Pickett
On Christmas night in 1991, Western Australia was rocked by a tragic incident. A car crashed into a pregnant woman and her young son, killing them both. The driver was Kingsley Pickett, who had stolen a vehicle and was trying to evade police. But this wouldn’t be Pickett’s first or last brush with the law. He racked up a lengthy record, and was frequently in and out of prison. For the manslaughter charges, Pickett only received a custodial sentence, and when he was released again, he continued his criminal behavior, breaking into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her. Despite being considered a “high risk serious offender” by prosecutors, Pickett was granted early release in February 2024 under a five-year supervision order.
YFN Lucci
You might remember YFN Lucci from his 2016 hits “Key to the Streets” and “Everyday We Lit.” A rising rapper, his career took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he became the focus of a statewide manhunt after he was indicted in a 105-count RICO case with 11 others. Prosecutors claimed Lucci was affiliated with the Bloods, and had been involved in murder, assault and racketeering. As he was denied bond, Lucci awaited trial behind bars until January 2024, when he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of probation. With credit for time served, Lucci’s label announced a tentative parole date for January 2025, when he could potentially regain his freedom.
Changpeng Zhao
A titan in the crypto world, Changpeng Zhao founded Binance in 2017 and built it into the world’s top cryptocurrency exchange. However, the U.S. Department of Justice later alleged that under his leadership, the platform became a hub for criminal activity, enabling money laundering activities linked to drug trafficking and terrorism. In November 2023, Zhao reached a plea deal with federal agents, which saw him step down as the CEO of Binance and pay a $50 million fine. Although prosecutors had asked for a three-year term, Zhao was ultimately sentenced to four months in prison. He eventually regained his freedom in September 2024, and soon turned his focus to his next big project.
Young Thug
In what became the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history, rapper Young Thug was one of 28 people indicted in a sweeping 56-count RICO investigation. Authorities alleged that Thug’s record label, YSL, had operated both as a music outfit and a criminal street gang. Thug was arrested in May 2022 and repeatedly denied bond, which meant he had to sit in jail while awaiting trial. In October 2024, after more than two years behind bars, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors, receiving a total sentence of 40 years. This included five years in prison, which was commuted to time served, 15 years of probation, and a potential 20-year sentence, should he violate probation. He was subsequently released from jail.
Steve Bannon
After leading Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Steve Bannon became his chief strategist upon his election. However, he held this role for only seven months before he was fired. Despite the split, Bannon remained closely tied to Trump, a connection that eventually landed him in prison. Following his refusal to appear before the U.S. House Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Bannon was found guilty of contempt of Congress. This earned him a sentence of four months in prison and a $6,500 fine. Though he appealed this conviction, Bannon ultimately served his sentence from July to October 2024, gaining release just one week before the third consecutive presidential election involving his former boss.
Yolanda Saldívar
All it took was three hours for a jury to find Yolanda Saldívar guilty of murder and send her to prison. Saldívar’s victim was none other than Selena, the beloved Tejano singer with whom she had developed a close bond, serving as both the president of her fan club and manager of her boutiques. However, when it was discovered that Saldívar had been swindling money from Selena, she was fired from both roles. In retaliation, Saldívar fatally shot Selena at a motel in Corpus Christi on March 31st 1995. She then threatened to take her own life but was ultimately apprehended. Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, which is set for March 2025.
Lyle & Erik Menendez
On August 20th 1989, José and Kitty Menendez were murdered in their Beverly Hills home, leaving behind their two sons, Lyle and Erik. Initially, the brothers claimed unknown intruders were responsible, but their extravagant spending soon raised suspicions. Eventually, Erik confessed to his psychologist, whose ex-girlfriend later reported it to the police, resulting in the brothers’ arrest. Their first trial ended with two deadlocked juries, but in 1996, a second trial convicted both of first-degree murder, sentencing them to life without parole. Since then, the case has received renewed attention due to dramatizations like Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters.” This led the Los Angeles District Attorney to recommend a resentencing in October 2024, which could see the brothers released by December 2024 or early 2025.
Julian Assange
As the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange gained notoriety in 2010 for publishing classified U.S. government documents leaked by Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. These files revealed sensitive military information, particularly about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2019, the U.S. charged Assange with espionage, and sought his extradition from the UK, where he had been detained after years of asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy. However, this proved to be a protracted and complex legal process. In the end, Assange struck a deal with U.S. prosecutors, pleading guilty to one charge in exchange for a 62-month sentence, which was commuted to time served. In June 2024, he was released from prison in the UK and returned to his native Australia.
What other famous people currently in prison would you like to see gain release? Let us know in the comments below.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most notable individuals who served time in prison, and either already have or could potentially secure their release between 2024 and 2025.
Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory
In 1985, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and his brother Terry founded the Black Mafia Family, creating one of the most notorious drug trafficking rings in the United States. Their operations soon drew federal attention, and by 2008, both brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison for trafficking and money laundering. In 2020, they sought early release due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, only Terry’s request was granted. Flenory, on the other hand, remained behind bars until October 16th 2024, when he was allowed to leave federal prison and serve the remainder of his time at a residential reentry program. His official sentence concludes in January 2026.
Rayful Edmond III
In the 1980s, the drug epidemic in Washington D.C. was largely fueled by one man: Rayful Edmond III. By his early 20s, Edmond had already built a drug empire, raking in around $300 million annually. In 1989, when he was just 24, Edmond was arrested on numerous charges including drug trafficking, operating a criminal enterprise and racketeering. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, even behind bars, Edmond continued to deal drugs and after he was caught, he struck a deal with the government, agreeing to become an informant. In July 2024, after decades behind bars, Edmond was granted early release and transferred to a halfway house at an unknown location in either Kentucky or Tennessee.
Kingsley Pickett
On Christmas night in 1991, Western Australia was rocked by a tragic incident. A car crashed into a pregnant woman and her young son, killing them both. The driver was Kingsley Pickett, who had stolen a vehicle and was trying to evade police. But this wouldn’t be Pickett’s first or last brush with the law. He racked up a lengthy record, and was frequently in and out of prison. For the manslaughter charges, Pickett only received a custodial sentence, and when he was released again, he continued his criminal behavior, breaking into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her. Despite being considered a “high risk serious offender” by prosecutors, Pickett was granted early release in February 2024 under a five-year supervision order.
YFN Lucci
You might remember YFN Lucci from his 2016 hits “Key to the Streets” and “Everyday We Lit.” A rising rapper, his career took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he became the focus of a statewide manhunt after he was indicted in a 105-count RICO case with 11 others. Prosecutors claimed Lucci was affiliated with the Bloods, and had been involved in murder, assault and racketeering. As he was denied bond, Lucci awaited trial behind bars until January 2024, when he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of probation. With credit for time served, Lucci’s label announced a tentative parole date for January 2025, when he could potentially regain his freedom.
Changpeng Zhao
A titan in the crypto world, Changpeng Zhao founded Binance in 2017 and built it into the world’s top cryptocurrency exchange. However, the U.S. Department of Justice later alleged that under his leadership, the platform became a hub for criminal activity, enabling money laundering activities linked to drug trafficking and terrorism. In November 2023, Zhao reached a plea deal with federal agents, which saw him step down as the CEO of Binance and pay a $50 million fine. Although prosecutors had asked for a three-year term, Zhao was ultimately sentenced to four months in prison. He eventually regained his freedom in September 2024, and soon turned his focus to his next big project.
Young Thug
In what became the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history, rapper Young Thug was one of 28 people indicted in a sweeping 56-count RICO investigation. Authorities alleged that Thug’s record label, YSL, had operated both as a music outfit and a criminal street gang. Thug was arrested in May 2022 and repeatedly denied bond, which meant he had to sit in jail while awaiting trial. In October 2024, after more than two years behind bars, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors, receiving a total sentence of 40 years. This included five years in prison, which was commuted to time served, 15 years of probation, and a potential 20-year sentence, should he violate probation. He was subsequently released from jail.
Steve Bannon
After leading Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Steve Bannon became his chief strategist upon his election. However, he held this role for only seven months before he was fired. Despite the split, Bannon remained closely tied to Trump, a connection that eventually landed him in prison. Following his refusal to appear before the U.S. House Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Bannon was found guilty of contempt of Congress. This earned him a sentence of four months in prison and a $6,500 fine. Though he appealed this conviction, Bannon ultimately served his sentence from July to October 2024, gaining release just one week before the third consecutive presidential election involving his former boss.
Yolanda Saldívar
All it took was three hours for a jury to find Yolanda Saldívar guilty of murder and send her to prison. Saldívar’s victim was none other than Selena, the beloved Tejano singer with whom she had developed a close bond, serving as both the president of her fan club and manager of her boutiques. However, when it was discovered that Saldívar had been swindling money from Selena, she was fired from both roles. In retaliation, Saldívar fatally shot Selena at a motel in Corpus Christi on March 31st 1995. She then threatened to take her own life but was ultimately apprehended. Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, which is set for March 2025.
Lyle & Erik Menendez
On August 20th 1989, José and Kitty Menendez were murdered in their Beverly Hills home, leaving behind their two sons, Lyle and Erik. Initially, the brothers claimed unknown intruders were responsible, but their extravagant spending soon raised suspicions. Eventually, Erik confessed to his psychologist, whose ex-girlfriend later reported it to the police, resulting in the brothers’ arrest. Their first trial ended with two deadlocked juries, but in 1996, a second trial convicted both of first-degree murder, sentencing them to life without parole. Since then, the case has received renewed attention due to dramatizations like Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters.” This led the Los Angeles District Attorney to recommend a resentencing in October 2024, which could see the brothers released by December 2024 or early 2025.
Julian Assange
As the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange gained notoriety in 2010 for publishing classified U.S. government documents leaked by Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. These files revealed sensitive military information, particularly about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2019, the U.S. charged Assange with espionage, and sought his extradition from the UK, where he had been detained after years of asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy. However, this proved to be a protracted and complex legal process. In the end, Assange struck a deal with U.S. prosecutors, pleading guilty to one charge in exchange for a 62-month sentence, which was commuted to time served. In June 2024, he was released from prison in the UK and returned to his native Australia.
What other famous people currently in prison would you like to see gain release? Let us know in the comments below.
