philadelphia - Blog - Gangsters Inc. - www.gangstersinc.org
2024-03-28T11:02:07Z
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/feed/tag/philadelphia
“A true menace to society” – Philadelphia contract killer gets 5 life sentences for 6 murders
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/a-true-menace-to-society-philadelphia-contract-killer-gets-5-life
2023-05-21T11:30:00.000Z
2023-05-21T11:30:00.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11133960854?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>A Philadelphia hitman was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences this week in connection with his role in murdering four victims in Philly between 2017 and 2018, all in exchange for money. 43-year-old Ernest Pressley was also convicted for his role in the killing of two other victims in 2016 and 2017 and the attempted murder of a woman in 2018.</p>
<p>“Ernest Pressley is a hardened and chronic offender, a true menace to society,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “For all the lives he took and families he affected, this contract killer has duly earned each of his life sentences.”</p>
<p>In late 2018, the Philadelphia Police Department joined with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate Pressley in connection with the murder of S.S., who was shot to death in the parking lot of a Philadelphia apartment complex near 7400 Malvern Avenue in the early morning hours of September 1, 2018.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.ning.com/profiles/blogs/chester-wheeler-campbell-the-007-of-the-detroit-drug-mob" target="_blank"><strong>Chester Wheeler Campbell: The 007 of the Detroit Drug Mob</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>Pressley was captured on video surveillance footage near the scene and in footage retrieved from a bar in Philadelphia the evening before when he was with S.S. and several other men. Pressley was arrested in connection with this crime on September 7, 2018.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Killing at random to cover his tracks</strong></span></p>
<p>Law enforcement's investigation revealed that Pressley was responsible for other murders in Philadelphia, including the killings of two tow truck drivers for A. Bob's Towing on January 12 and 13, 2017. Pressley agreed to kill tow truck driver K.F. in exchange for money to prevent K.F. from testifying as a witness at an assault trial in Philadelphia.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.ning.com/profiles/blogs/music-label-or-violent-gang-original-block-hustlaz-provided-sound" target="_blank"><strong>Music label or violent gang? Original Block Hustlaz provided soundtrack while it flooded Philadelphia with drugs</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>In an effort to distract law enforcement from the true motivation for K.F.'s murder and to make it appear as though it was connected to a feud between rival tow truck companies, Pressley selected at random one of K.F.'s co-workers, E.R., and shot him to death as he left work on January 12, 2017, near 4500 Melrose Street.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11133960673,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="11133960673?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></a>The next day, Pressley (right) approached K.F. as he left his home and entered his tow truck, which was being driven by a co-worker, at which time Pressley opened fire, fatally striking K.F. and injuring his co-worker, who was shot several times in his lower body. </p>
<p>As the investigation developed further, Pressley was also identified as the person who shot M.R. to death in Philadelphia on January 11, 2017, near the intersection of East Sharpnack and Baldwin Streets, while M.R. worked on his vehicle at a garage in the area.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/blog/i-thought-my-dad-was-a-candy-man-daughter-of-harlem-drug-kingpin" target="_blank"><strong>“I thought my dad was a candy man” – Daughter of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas talks about her father</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>In September 2022, during his guilty plea allocution before Judge Robreno, Pressley admitted that he murdered M.R., E.R., K.F., and S.S. in exchange for money and at the direction of a drug trafficker. Around the time of each crime, Pressley used his cellular phone to communicate with his co-conspirator to plan how and when each murder would be carried out.</p>
<p>Pressley also admitted to shooting C.Y. to death on July 19, 2016, as C.Y. sat on the porch of a residence near 1500 West Olney Avenue in Philadelphia. Pressley also admitted to his role in providing the location of a man he knew was wanted dead by a Philadelphia drug trafficker, which later resulted in the death of Y.H., who was killed as the result of mistaken identity near the intersection of 56th Street and Ithan Street on July 24, 2018.</p>
<p>Finally, Pressley admitted that he attempted to kill a woman when he shot her in the arm as she arrived at her Philadelphia home on North Woodstock Street on July 9, 2018. While the woman survived a gunshot wound, she later discovered that her home had been ransacked and several items, including money and jewelry, were stolen. Several hours later, Pressley was identified as having sold a Rolex watch belonging to the woman at a Philadelphia pawn shop.</p>
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Philadelphia Mafia boss Joey Merlino poses for photo with former President Donald Trump
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/philadelphia-mafia-boss-joey-merlino-poses-for-photo-with-former
2023-01-23T18:47:37.000Z
2023-01-23T18:47:37.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10947173676?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By David Amoruso for <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a></p>
<p>Philadelphia Mafia family boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino has friends in high places… Well, he posed for a picture with someone who moves in high places. None other than former President of the United States Donald Trump stood next to Merlino as both men gave a thumbs up to the photographer snapping the picture.</p>
<p>The photo was released by the <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/donald-trump-joey-merlino-philadelphia-mob-photo-golf-club-20230123.html" target="_blank">Philadelphia Inquirer</a>, which received it from an anonymous source. It reports that the picture was taken at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course this month. The third man is a friend of Merlino, the source told the <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/donald-trump-joey-merlino-philadelphia-mob-photo-golf-club-20230123.html" target="_blank">Inquirer</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Hating snitches</strong></span></p>
<p>Merlino is a known supporter of Trump. Especially after Trump said in 2018 that “flipping almost ought to be illegal” when his lawyer, Michael Cohen, decided to testify against him.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ & WATCH: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/philly-underboss-crazy-phil-leonetti-talks-about-hanging-out-with" target="_blank"><strong>Philly underboss “Crazy Phil” Leonetti talks about hanging out with Meyer Lansky, calls Merlino a “lowlife”</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>“Skinny Joey” knows all about “flipping” as he came across quite a few rats in his day. He himself, however, remains a loyal adherent to omerta, the code of silence. Though he seems to have taken a step back from mob business, leaving the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philly crime family</a> in the hands of his former associates.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Breach of security</strong></span></p>
<p>The fact that a man like Merlino, with a serious criminal record dating back decades, could pose for a photo with the former President is a worrying sign. Did Trump know Merlino? Are they friends? And if not, how did Merlino get this close to the former POTUS? This can be considered a serious security breach.</p>
<p>Access to the former President, who at the time of the photograph had just announced he would run again, offers a lot of opportunities to anyone looking to make a big score. Whether it’s to get his hands on some top secret documents or get a casino license. If you know a guy who can make it happen, it all works out.</p>
<p>The question now is: Does Joey Merlino know that guy?</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/organized-crime-in">Organized Crime in North America section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
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<p><strong>Copyright © Gangsters Inc.</strong></p></div>
Philadelphia Mafia family underboss gets 5 years in prison for running gambling, extortion, and loansharking
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/philadelphia-mafia-family-underboss-gets-5-years-in-prison-for-ru
2022-12-18T19:10:00.000Z
2022-12-18T19:10:00.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10913796883?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>Steven Mazzone, the underboss of the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philadelphia Mafia family</a>, was sentenced on Thursday to 5 years behind bars for leading a racketeering conspiracy which engaged in illicit gambling, extortion, and loansharking.</p>
<p>59-year-old Mazzone directed a vast network of criminal activity that spanned Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey. As the underboss, he set rules for La Cosa Nostra members and associates in the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philadelphia Mafia</a> and collected profits from illegal activity that was siphoned upward through the command structure. Mazzone also organized the composition of crews in the crime family and to which captains each crew reported. Every capo answered to Mazzone.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Wiretap</strong></span></p>
<p>The investigation involved the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, and Philadelphia Police Department. They utilized court-ordered wiretap interceptions of cell phones used by mob members and associates to conduct illegal sports betting and loansharking in the Philadelphia area.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/philly-underboss-crazy-phil-leonetti-talks-about-hanging-out-with" target="_blank"><strong>Philly underboss “Crazy Phil” Leonetti talks about hanging out with Meyer Lansky, calls Merlino a “lowlife”</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>The wiretap evidence <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/philadelphia-mafia-underboss-capo-and-underlings-busted-by-fbi-on" target="_blank">established</a> that Mazzone financed high-interest loans to customers of the sportsbook who were unable to pay their debts, resulting in the collection of loans with interest rates as high as 264%. Mobsters threatened debtors who did not pay with violence, including one threat to make a victim “disappear” for nonpayment on a loan.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10913424890,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10913424890?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a><strong><em>Photo: Steven Mazzone.</em></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Second conviction</strong></span></p>
<p>This case represents Mazzone’s second federal conviction for criminal activity in connection with the Mafia. He had previously committed similar offenses in Philadelphia over 20 years ago as a “made” member in the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philadelphia Mafia</a>. In 2000, Mazzone was convicted of conspiracy to commit racketeering and illegal sports bookmaking.</p>
<p>In that case, Mazzone was captured on intercepted wiretap conversations discussing an extortion. One of the victims was shot and seriously injured during the course of the extortion. Mazzone was ultimately sentenced to 9 years in prison for that conviction.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family">Philadelphia crime family section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
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<p><strong>Copyright © Gangsters Inc.</strong></p></div>
Big time Philadelphia drug distributor sentenced to 40 years in prison
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/big-time-philadelphia-drug-distributor-sentenced-to-40-years-in-p
2022-10-30T09:42:49.000Z
2022-10-30T09:42:49.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10858119452?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>A big time Philadelphia drug trafficker was sentenced to 40 years in prison this week. 42-year-old Arthur Rowland imported significant amounts of methamphetamine from California for distribution in and around Philadelphia.</p>
<p>In February 2022, following a seven-day trial, a jury found Rowland guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon, but was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining charges. Then, in May 2022, following a six-day retrial, the jury found him guilty on four of the remaining five counts, including multiple firearms and narcotics offenses.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Mexican meth from Cali</strong></span></p>
<p>The charges stemmed from Rowland’s role as the main distributor for a group that shipped many hundreds of pounds of nearly pure, Mexican-made methamphetamine to the Philadelphia area for further distribution to individuals suffering with addiction and others substance use disorders.</p>
<p>For his part, the defendant provided addresses to his California connections, who in turn, sent him packages containing pounds of methamphetamine. Rowland then took possession of that methamphetamine, sold it, and generated large sums of cash.</p>
<p>When federal law enforcement arrested Rowland and executed a search warrant at his residence near City Avenue in December 2018, agents seized more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, approximately $17,000 cash, a Sig Sauer handgun, and two Draco assault-style weapons, as well as ammunition and a high-capacity drum magazine.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/organized-crime-in">Organized Crime in North America section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
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Philadelphia man admits management role in cocaine trafficking organization
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/philadelphia-man-admits-management-role-in-cocaine-trafficking-or
2022-10-02T09:13:44.000Z
2022-10-02T09:13:44.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10832620859?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>A manager for a drug trafficking organization that purchased over 100 kilograms of cocaine in Puerto Rico and shipped the kilograms to residences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey admitted to his role in the conspiracy on Wednesday. 50-year-old Jose Gonzalez pleaded guilty in Camden federal court to one count of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.</p>
<p>From March 2019 to August 2020, Gonzalez and other conspirators traveled on commercial flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on numerous occasions. They purchased multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from wholesale drug suppliers based in the San Juan area in exchange for cash payments.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>U.S. Post Office</strong></span></p>
<p>Gonzalez and the other conspirators then shipped the kilograms of cocaine by overnight delivery from U.S. Post Offices in San Juan to addresses in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. Gonzalez resold the kilograms to other drug dealers in the Philadelphia area for a profit. Gonzalez admitted that he had a management role in the conspiracy, and that he and the other conspirators purchased and shipped over 100 kilograms of cocaine.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/la-organizacion-de-narcotraficantes-unidos-the-puerto-rican-drug" target="_blank"><strong>La Organizacion de Narcotraficantes Unidos: The Puerto Rican drug gang that smuggled cocaine and dealt death</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>When Gonzalez was arrested in August 2020, agents seized over $120,000 in cash during a search of his residence in Philadelphia and a 9mm handgun from an auto garage that Gonzalez operated in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>As part of his plea agreement, Gonzalez agreed to the forfeiture of the U.S. currency and the 9mm handgun, as well as the forfeiture of a Dodge Ram pickup truck that was used in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/50-members-of-la-asociacion-neta-prison-gang-indicted-in-puerto-r" target="_blank"><strong>50 members of La Asociación Ñeta prison gang indicted in Puerto Rico</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>The drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a mandatory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2023.</p>
<ul>
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Philadelphia heroin kingpin who supplied open-air drug market gets 10 years in prison
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/philadelphia-heroin-kingpin-who-supplied-open-air-drug-market-get
2022-07-07T19:10:14.000Z
2022-07-07T19:10:14.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10628846699?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>Roberto DeJesus Negrin was sentenced to ten years in prison last week for multiple narcotics offenses stemming from his role as a drug trafficker and a leading supplier of heroin in one of the most drug-laden neighborhoods in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>The 35-year-old drug kingpin pleaded guilty in January 2022 to an Indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.</p>
<p>He acknowledged coordinating shipments of heroin into Philadelphia and arranging for it to be packaged into street-level, sale-ready quantities at two locations which he obtained for the purpose of operating this bagging operation.</p>
<p>During much of 2018, DeJesus Negrin was the main heroin supplier to a drug trafficking organization that controlled an open-air drug market in the Kensington section of the city. In November 2018, when law enforcement executed search warrants at the two locations controlled by the defendant, they recovered over two kilograms of heroin in each place and other items consistent with drug trafficking. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/organized-crime-in">Organized Crime in North America section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
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<p><strong>Copyright © Gangsters Inc.</strong></p></div>
Philadelphia Mafia family associate gets 5 years behind bars for racketeering and trying to buy 1 kilo of coke
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/philadelphia-mafia-family-associate-gets-5-years-behind-bars-for
2022-05-28T18:00:24.000Z
2022-05-28T18:00:24.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10521631272?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>A Philadelphia Mafia family associate was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy and drug dealing. 68-year-old Daniel Castelli had made the guilty plea in January of this year.</p>
<p>Castelli worked with other <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philadelphia mobsters</a> and associates in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and loansharking. He was close to underboss <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/philadelphia-mafia-underboss-capo-and-underlings-busted-by-fbi-on" target="_blank">Steven Mazzone</a> (shown in photo above), capo Dominic Grande and longtime Philly mobsters Joseph “Joey Electric” Servidio and <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/blog/the-golden-years-of-vic-deluca-philadelphia-mafia-associate-gets" target="_blank">Victor DeLuca</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Take back Atlantic City</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10521630661,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="300" alt="10521630661?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>In 2015, Castelli and several other mobsters were allegedly instructed by captain Dominic Grande (right) to reclaim Atlantic City for the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philly mob</a> by shaking down the local bookmakers and loansharks. The city had once been under the thumb of <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/nicodemo-little-nicky-scarfo-boss-of-the-philadelphia-crime-famil" target="_blank">Philadelphia boss Nicky Scarfo</a>, but in the following chaotic decades filled with gangland murders, indictments and turncoats, the family lost its influence and power. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/former-philadelphia-mob-boss-ralph-natale-s-last-don-standing-rev" target="_blank"><strong>Ralph Natale’s Last Don Standing reveals a gangster desperately in search of respect</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>Little over half a year later, in the summer of 2016, Castelli was already busy with something more tangible when he tried to buy a kilo of cocaine on behalf of other wiseguys who intended to resell the product. He admitted as much in his plea deal.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14pt;">“Nothing but a bad memory” </span> </strong></p>
<p>“Even though the Philadelphia mob has been weakened over the decades due in large part to persistent law enforcement, the organization and its criminal activities are still very much a problem and are damaging the communities in which it operates,” U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting anyone who is committing serious federal crimes like these, and we will not rest until the mob is nothing but a bad memory.” </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family">Philadelphia crime family section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
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The Golden Years of Vic DeLuca: Philadelphia Mafia associate gets 10 years for racketeering and drug dealing
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/the-golden-years-of-vic-deluca-philadelphia-mafia-associate-gets
2022-04-03T06:08:07.000Z
2022-04-03T06:08:07.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10258194498?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By David Amoruso for <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a></p>
<p>Philadelphia Mafia family associate Victor DeLuca will spend his golden years in the slammer. 57-year-old “Big Vic” was sentenced this week to a decade behind bars for racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.</p>
<p>“As a longtime associate of the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra [family]</a>, Victor DeLuca earned his keep through drug dealing, loansharking, and extortion - pretty much the antithesis of an honest day’s work,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “His actions caused harm to individual victims and the community alike and it’s gratifying he’s now been brought to justice. The FBI will continue to keep organized crime squarely in our sights as we work to make the city of Philadelphia a safer place.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10258187283,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="10258187283?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em><strong>Photo: Steve Mazzone</strong></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Hard at work</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10258184882,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="305" alt="10258184882?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>DeLuca was indicted in November 2020 along with <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/philadelphia-mafia-underboss-capo-and-underlings-busted-by-fbi-on" target="_blank">14 other Philadelphia wiseguys</a> of the faction run by alleged underboss Steve Mazzone. DeLuca worked under Mazzone’s brother alleged mob soldier Salvatore and soldier Joseph Servidio (right), who were both indicted as well.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-trouble-with-harry" target="_blank"><strong>The Trouble with Philadelphia mobster Harry Riccobene</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>A hard worker, DeLuca was involved in extortion and various drug deals – some more successful than others. He pleaded guilty on November 29, 2021, to charges in a superseding indictment and admitted trying to buy two pounds of methamphetamine, intended for later resale, on behalf of other <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family" target="_blank">Philadelphia Mafia</a> members and associates in April 2017.</p>
<p>Two pounds. Not exactly the kingpin stuff La Cosa Nostra was infamous for. Times they are a’ changing. But wait, it gets better – or worse.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>“They switched up the bags”</strong></span></p>
<p>After paying $16,000 for the drugs, DeLuca realized he had a problem. He was caught on tape discussing it.</p>
<p>“They switched up the bags,” he exclaimed. “He gave JP at the same room. The guy left to count the money. JP was left holding the bag. Open the bag. He came out. He came out with…I don’t know what it is…fuckin’ rock salt. He says it’s imperative that you call him.”</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/nicodemo-little-nicky-scarfo-boss-of-the-philadelphia-crime-famil" target="_blank">Profile of Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo</a>, infamous boss of the Philadelphia crime family, who died in prison at age 87</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Who said drug money was easy money? Now, DeLuca will do 10 years in prison for it. He will serve it with pride, though. He was pretty clear that his guilty plea was “non-cooperation” and that in no way, shape or form will he flip on his, alleged, Philly Mafia colleagues.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family">Philadelphia crime family section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Check out the latest news on organized crime and the Mafia at our <a href="https://gangstersinc.ning.com/blog/list/tag/news">news section</a></strong></li>
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<li><strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/about-gangsters-inc">About Gangsters Inc.</a></strong></li>
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<p><strong>Copyright © Gangsters Inc.</strong></p>
<p> </p></div>
Philadelphia Mafia boss-turned-rat Ralph Natale dies at age 86
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/philadelphia-mafia-boss-turned-rat-ralph-natale-dies-at-age-86
2022-01-28T06:24:04.000Z
2022-01-28T06:24:04.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
https://gangstersinc.org/members/GangstersInc
<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10052236294?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By David Amoruso for <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a></p>
<p>Ralph Natale, the man who became the highest ranking Mafia snitch, passed away on January 23. Natale was the boss of the Philadelphia crime family for a few years during a period of great chaos within the Philly underworld.</p>
<p>Much has been said and written about Natale. Most of it hasn’t been kind. As a mobster, he wasn’t anything special. He spent most of his time behind bars. It was there, that he was initiated into La Cosa Nostra by Joseph Merlino while both men were serving their respective sentences.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Right man at the right time</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10052236895,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" width="106" alt="10052236895?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a>Upon his release from prison in 1994, he stumbled upon a Mafia family that had just gone through the deadly Scarfo years and had survived an internecine war between Sicilian-born boss John Stanfa and a rebel faction led by a young, but smart and coldblooded Joey Merlino.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>WATCH: Former <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/videos/ex-mob-boss-turned-informant-loses-his-cool" target="_blank">Philadelphia Mafia boss Ralph Natale discusses his life of crime</a>, loses his temper</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>As such, he came in at the right time. He became the family’s new leader and enjoyed his time at the top. For a short while at least. Things turned sour between <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/philadelphia-boss-ralph-natale" target="_blank">Natale</a> and Merlino. He became isolated and began setting up his own scores. It led to his arrest on drug charges in 1999.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>First American mob boss to snitch</strong></span></p>
<p>Faced with yet more years locked up, Natale cashed in his chips and flipped. He told the feds everything he knew about the Philadelphia mob. He became the first sitting American Mafia boss to do so.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/former-philadelphia-mob-boss-ralph-natale-s-last-don-standing-rev" target="_blank">Former Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale’s Last Don Standing</a> reveals a gangster desperately in search of respect</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>His reputation as a rat didn’t sit well with Natale. After his release from prison, he wrote his autobiography titled Last Don Standing: The Secret Life of Mob Boss Ralph Natale. In it, he tried to polish up his image – as other mob snitches have done before him. He <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/former-philadelphia-mob-boss-ralph-natale-s-last-don-standing-rev" target="_blank">failed</a>.</p>
<p>Regardless, he wore the crown he – and many mobsters – craved so much. Quite an accomplishment. Even if he got it in a way that might not be befitting a Hollywood gangster movie. It was his snitching that eventually defined his reign and character. No book or film can change that.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Back to the <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-bruno-crime-family">Philadelphia crime family section</a> on Gangsters Inc.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Check out the latest news on organized crime and the Mafia at our <a href="https://gangstersinc.ning.com/blog/list/tag/news">news section</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Check out our <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/blog/gangsters-inc-on-social-media">social media channels</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/about-gangsters-inc">About Gangsters Inc.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Copyright © Gangsters Inc.</strong></p></div>