In 2018, one of America’s most notorious gangsters, James “Whitey” Bulger, was killed in his cell at U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia by three inmates who delivered fatal blows after beating him for seven minutes. The attackers were Fotios “Freddy” Geas, Paul J. DeCologero, and Sean McKinnon. McKinnon served as the lookout while Geas and DeCologero carried out the attack. Bulger, who was 89 at the time of his death, was targeted because he was known as a snitch and FBI informant, which is seen as ground for being targeted in the criminal world.
This week, the inmates accused of killing Whitey Bulger in his prison cell reached plea deals, according to federal court filings. The terms of these plea deals have not been disclosed. Bulger was a prominent figure in the criminal world and was convicted for his involvement in multiple murders. He had been the subject of various books, shows, documentaries, and podcasts detailing his criminal activities. The FBI recently released hundreds of pages of documents related to Bulger, providing insight into his life and criminal activities.
The released FBI documents revealed several key details about Whitey Bulger’s criminal history. One significant finding was a notebook found in Bulger’s possession, containing mundane notes and mentions of specific individuals and locations. Additionally, the documents showcased the FBI’s tracking of Bulger and various criminal groups in Boston involved in loan-sharking activities since the 1970s. Bulger was also linked to a horse-racing scam in the ’70s that included organized crime groups across the country.
Law enforcement began targeting Bulger in the mid-70s for his involvement in criminal activities, including assaults on FBI informants and participation in illegal schemes. Bulger eventually became an FBI informant, which led to redactions in court documents regarding his involvement in criminal activities. When federal law enforcement closed in on him, Bulger was tipped off by corrupt FBI agent John “Zip” Connolly and subsequently went on the run for 16 years before being captured in California. During his time on the run, Bulger lived off cash hidden in the walls and evaded authorities.
Whitey Bulger’s lawyers described him as a violent and despicable criminal with no redeeming qualities, detailing his involvement in multiple murders and extortion schemes. The April 27, 2023 court filing highlighted Bulger’s sinister nature and disregard for human life, painting him as one of the most infamous criminals in Boston history. Bulger’s death in prison at the hands of fellow inmates marked a brutal end to his tumultuous criminal career, which spanned decades and involved various criminal activities. The plea deals reached by the inmates accused of his murder bring a semblance of closure to the case, shedding light on Bulger’s troubled past and the violent world of organized crime he inhabited.
