Former gunslinger turns warrior for God

Years ago, Miguel Moss watched his father Percival pace the grounds of Old Harbour Police Station.

Already out on station bail for a stabbing incident, the then 15-year-old found himself on the wrong side of the law again and his bail bond stood at threat of being revoked.

"Mi stab up a youth one time and mi get station bail and mi father come bail mi. The matter end up throw out eventually but while mi on bail, mi father tell mi say police come up a di yard with a summons fi mi and him because a him bail mi," he said.

As he waited inside the police station, his father, probably stressed from the happening, walked outside. Then the unimaginable occurred.

"Mi father outside a smoke a cigarette and a walk to and from and then mi just hear a woman say 'A which man dis drop dung out here suh in dutty water?' When mi go out there a mi father dat drop dung and dead. Mi still end up go court dat day still and mi just remember inna mi uniform a bawl and the case was thrown out as well," Moss said.

Although he was gripped with pain and guilt from his father's passing, the teen remained on a destructive path. Moss was a pre-teen when he attempted his first robbery and had access to illegal firearms. A gunslinging thug at night, he remained a brilliant student at Spring Garden All-Age School in St Catherine, and was even head boy.

"In grade nine, I was doing really well, eno. I won spelling bee competitions, had lots of certificates and my teachers all liked me. I passed my exam and went to St Catherine High with an average of 98.5 per cent. My father's death was on my mind, so even though I went to the school with a good average, I started failing," he said.

"I was brave, so I was ready for whatever the man dem say. One night one of my friends call mi out and we go pon di road go rob some people. It never go good as police come on the scene and gunshot fire but mi end up escape," he added.

The following morning, Moss was accosted by the police who found him with a bag of stolen items. He was slapped with charges including shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation and illegal possession of firearm. After spending five months at Metcalfe Street Juvenile Centre, he was released on a $75,000 bail bond. Moss returned to school, but was still living in the fast lane. Just months later, he had another encounter with the police, and was shot in his lower body. Moss eluded the police again and was treated with home remedies by one of his cronies.

But in April 2016, his luck ran out. Moss received two 15-year sentences, which were set to run concurrently. He initially believed that he would get a light sentence as the robbery charges were dropped and persons vouched for his character. But he was eventually incarcerated at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston.

Moss said the reality of being locked away from society dawned on him the moment he entered. Backed against the wall, the then teenager said he finally opened the New Testament Bible that he was walking around with in his back pocket for years. Soon after, he began attending church services, but his newly formed relationship with the Almighty didn't immediately keep him out of harm's way, as he was involved in a few fights with other inmates. But he was still strong academically, achieving passes in regional exams as well as certificates from HEART. He also got baptised.

Moss said with the assistance of his attorney, he was able to have his sentence reduced by a few years and was scheduled for release this December, but one day in January 2025, Moss said he was tested by the devil.

"A man threaten to blood up mi 'cellie' and mi tell him say if him ever do it, mi a jam him up with mi jammer and yuh know say the man eventually buss mi cellie face. We never retaliate but mi shame like dog. Mi nuh inna nuh talking. The next morning mi get up and start jog and the man dem a watch mi and think mi a strong up fi war," Moss said. But that morning, January 17, 2025, Moss received life-changing news. His time in prison had ended. He considers it divine intervention that he did not retaliate the previous day.

Reunited with his loved ones, Moss said he continued on a path of prayer and thanksgiving.

"I continued to fast and pray and even start delivering people. I told myself that I was going to be an instrument to the youths," he said. Now known as Gospel Convict on TikTok, Moss uses the platform to motivate and host biblical sermons.

"Mi want the youths dem to know that friend isn't all. When I got myself in trouble there was no friend for me. My poor mother who never know or send mi out there to take people things, have to be there stressing and finding tings to take to prison to mi," he said. Speaking directly to youth, he said, "Just don't follow bad company, and if your circle not motivating you to do something good, leave it. Fifteen years behind bars for a gun just nuh make any sense."

His eyes welled up with tears as he removed his glasses to apologise to the dozens of persons he robbed and caused pain.

"I am sorry for everything and for all the persons that I have hurt. I am asking them to find it in their hearts to forgive mi. I am a better person now and I am going to pay back to society by uplifting the youth. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart," Moss said.