Index > Chuck Berry was born 100 years ago today > Re: Chuck Berry was born 100 years ago today > Prison will do that to a man
Posted by HexagonSun (@hexagonsun) on Oct. 19, 2026, 6:45 a.m.
He did 3 sprints in the joint. Chances are he was just an asshole. Great musician, but an asshole.
- Armed Robbery (1944–1947)
• Offense: Convicted as a teenager in St. Louis for armed robbery and carjacking.
• Sentence & Time Served: Sentenced to three years and released on his 21st birthday in October 1947.
- Mann Act Violation (1962–1963)
• Offense: Convicted under the Mann Act for transporting a 14-year-old girl (Janice Escalanti) across state lines.
• Sentence & Time Served: Sentenced to three years at the Indiana Federal Penitentiary / Leavenworth, serving about 20 months before being released in October 1963. While inside, he studied accounting and wrote classic tracks like “You Never Can Tell”.
- Tax Evasion (1979)
• Offense: Pleaded guilty to federal income tax evasion for failing to report roughly $110,000 to $200,000 in income.
• Sentence & Time Served: Served a four-month sentence at the Lompoc Prison Camp in California, alongside completing 1,000 hours of community service via benefit concerts.