Rev. Calvin Butts Says Afrika Owes Was Led Astray, Report Says

By Jeff Mays

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

HARLEM — The Rev. Calvin Butts of the Abyssinian Baptist Church told his congregation Sunday that Afrika Owes, the 17-year-old accused of ferrying guns for a Central Harlem gang, was "led astray," the Daily News reported.

"She was just led astray as so many have been," Butts told his church. "I'm asking for your prayers...save this young woman."

Owes, a former student at the prestigious Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, was charged last week with transporting guns for two gangs, "2 Mafia Family," also known as 2MF, and "Goons on Deck," which operated at 137th Street and Lenox Avenue.

Those who know Owes say they were extremely surprised that she was in jail facing such serious charges.