From Lockdown to Freedom

Ron Zaucha was a California street tough turned drug dealer to many classic rock stars, actors and burnouts in the 1970s and '80s. He lived the life they did, filled with flashy cars and clothes, a bounty of cash, beautiful women, befriending - and shaking down - some of the biggest icons of the day. His downfall took years, but it was a mighty crash. This is the story of one man's rise, fall and redemption.

Ron Zaucha was a California street smart, tough-guy turned drug dealer. He befriended and dealt to many classic rock stars, actors and burnouts in the 1970s and '80s. He lived a fast paced life, filled with flashy cars, a pocket full of cash, and beautiful women at his side. Whatever Ron wanted, Ron got. However, there was a price to pay for it all. At times Zaucha had to be a tough guy when it came to collecting money. At times he alternately befriended and shook down some of the biggest icons of the day. For years his best friends were Smith & Wesson, and they helped him get the job done. Until one day, everything came to a crashing halt and took him down into to a pit he barely made it out of. His stories will make you laugh, cry and amaze you how he survived. This is the story of one man's incredible rise, fall and redemption.

Ron Zaucha is the Executive Director/Founder of Lighthouse Educational Ministries Inc. (LEM) a nonprofit 501 C/3 self-supporting ministry which was started in 1996. He is an ordained and licensed Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please see his website at Lighthouseedministries.org LEM has ministered in the California State Penitentiary system for women for over 20 years and at the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison for over seven years. Zaucha has also ministered in the Chino Men's Prison, California Youth Authority, Orange County Jails, L.A. County Jails and the Fred Jordon Mission. Zaucha received his bachelor's degree in Theology in 2001 with emphasis on Chaplaincy Studies for becoming a State Prison Chaplain. He counsels many individuals, especially in the areas of grief, family issues, and substance abuse counseling. Having been incarcerated and paroled in 1990, Zaucha understands the difficulty in becoming self-sufficient outside prison walls. Through his prison ministry, Zaucha has touched the lives of thousands of inmates around the country serving time, offering encouragement, wisdom and hope.