True Crime

His favorite movie was “The Godfather,” and according to his daughter, he tried to envision himself as the modern-day Michael Corleone. He tried to run his business and family the same way. Except this wasn’t fiction; it was real life.  Just like Corleone was the most infamous crime boss in the movies, John Gotti ran

American drug history is full of larger-than-life figures. They range from petty criminals to infamous gangs, and high-profile drug lords like the one we’re going to discuss today–Freeway Ricky Ross.  When the cards were stacked against Ricky, making it almost impossible for him to lead a lucrative, legal life, he instead rose to prominence by

In the realm of historical serial killers, there is one name that everyone knows no matter how old you are or what your background is: Jack the Ripper. His famous Whitechapel murders were so gruesome that they have inspired countless books and movies. To this day, it’s hard to find someone who has never heard

Henry Hill is a name synonymous with the world of organized crime. He rose to infamy as a key player in the notorious Lucchese crime family. His life and criminal exploits later inspired one of the greatest crime movies of all time. From his early days as an errand boy for the mob to his

Everyone knows the name Pablo Escobar. Most have a passing idea of what exactly made the so-called King of Cocaine so infamous. The founder and head of the Medellín Cartel was in a position of great power. However, with such a position, trusted individuals were hard to find.  Escobar needed someone on his side that

True crime is popular for two major reasons. People love the mystery of unsolved cases and the depths of human depravity. They also love the conclusion of knowing some criminals get caught for their crimes. Unfortunately, the latter is much less common than the former, even with the most heinous of crimes. One such case

Teflon, the non-stick coating commonly found in cookware, is famous for its slippery properties and ability to withstand high heat. Put the word “Teflon” in front of a name, and it evokes the image of someone elusive, immune to arrest, and impervious to criminal charges. These characteristics perfectly describe John Gotti, the man famously known

In March 2009, Mexico released the List of Mexico’s 37 Most Wanted Drug Lords. In the years since, 36 of the drug lords on this list have been tracked down and arrested–an incredible undertaking considering just how dangerous these men and their cartels are. Yet someone, the 37th man, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada remains free.

It seems like most famous American mobsters end their careers either with arrest or by going down in a hail of bullets…but not all of them. Johnny Torrio, an Italian-American gangster who rose to power in the 1920s, would survive both arrests and multiple gunshot wounds to retire. All while keeping his reputation as one