World news. Corey Lamont Waller’s rags to riches story is often used as an example to African-Americans from impoverished backgrounds. Waller’s exemplary life story took an unexpected turn, however, when he was arrested and charged with possession of 200-400 pounds of marijuana.
Waller grew up in the projects of Louisville with his single mother, was mentored by family members, and eventually went on to become a stand-out athlete and an award winning Harvard scholar. Waller not only survived his early life spent in and out of homeless shelters, but he thrived as well. As a high school student he played football, made the National Honor Society, worked two part time jobs and earned a 3.9 GPA.
Corey Waller. Photo courtesy blackchristiannews.com
He graduated from Harvard in 2006.
Now Waller’s story of achievement is crashing down over allegations that he was found with hundreds of pounds of marijuana. Waller was charged with trafficking marijuana and carrying a concealed deadly weapon after Louisville police found 200 to 400 pounds of marijuana in a Q-2 Self Storage locker that he’d rented, the Courier Journal reports.
Police allege that Waller attempted to flee the scene when he saw officers approaching. Officers found a loaded gun in Waller’s 2015 Cadillac, as well as more marijuana and large amounts of cash. Friends and family are stunned that Waller came this far, only to lose it all over a drug charge.
Larry McDonald, who mentored Waller as part of the Louisville Lincoln Foundation’s program for disadvantaged youth, cannot wrap his head around what happened. “Where did we go wrong?” he asked.
Former Metro Councilwoman Denise Bentley, who Waller had lived with while in high school, said seeing his mugshot on television was like “somebody socked me in the stomach.” Waller, listed on a police report as unemployed, had worked as a medical and pharmaceuticals sales rep.
“I’m so serious about my career and thank God for granting me the opportunity to do what I do as a professional every day,” he said in one Facebook post in 2010. Louisville lawyer Tracy Davis, a friend, says Waller was making “good money” so none of this makes sense.
Waller spoke to the Courier-Journal in 2002 as part of a profile. “I had structure and support — things got better,” Waller explained. “I give credit to God and my aunt.”
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on a $25,000 cash bond. Article courtesy http://yourblackworld.net/
