Gary Krist: The Einstein of Crime

Gary Krist, Older

Krist and Greeson pleaded guilty on May 16, 2006, in U.S. District Court in Mobile to conspiracy to import cocaine and smuggling aliens. Their sentences could range from 10 years to life on each count, in addition to fines of up to $4 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah Griffin has postponed the sentencing three times because Krist is frantically trying to cooperate with federal authorities. He and Greeson are expected to testify against Antonio Bryan Joseph, accused of conspiring with the men to distribute the cocaine.

Krist and Greeson are now scheduled to be sentenced in January 2007.

Krist's wife, Joan, told the Athens, Ga., newspaper, "He is a good man, and he had not done anything to anyone in years."

She expressed no resentment toward her husband, even though he involved her son in a racket likely to get him sent away for at least a decade.

For his part, Krist will go to prison and attempt to cultivate helpful alliances. No doubt he's already trying to figure out a way to get out. He has one thing going for him: His brain.