Reports indicate that John Stanfa, the notorious former boss of the Philadelphia Mafia, has been transferred from a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Devens, Massachusetts.
Stanfa, aged 80, is currently serving five life sentences. His conviction in 1995 stemmed from a significant federal crackdown on the Philadelphia Mafia, leading to charges of racketeering, murder, conspiracy, and loansharking. This extensive case resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of Stanfa along with over two dozen mobsters and associates.
Federal Bureau of Prisons records confirm Stanfa’s transfer to FMC Devens from the medium-security FCI Schuylkill in Pennsylvania. Stanfa will be turning 81 later this year. As of now, the specific reasons behind this transfer have not been officially disclosed. Mobtalksitdown.com is actively seeking further information regarding this prison relocation.
The conviction of John Stanfa dates back to November 1995, following a high-profile, three-month federal trial. He was found guilty on 33 out of 35 counts. The trial itself was a consequence of a violent Mob War in the early 1990s, pitting Stanfa against the ambitious Joey Merlino.
Following Stanfa’s imprisonment, Joey Merlino, in partnership with Ralph Natale, assumed control of the Philadelphia crime family. Subsequently, Natale made a stunning move by becoming the first Mob Boss to turn informant, cooperating with the authorities against Merlino and nine others. Merlino and several of his key associates were subsequently convicted and received prison sentences ranging from 8 to 13 years.
Ralph Natale, now 86, provided extensive testimony, enduring rigorous cross-examination that ultimately weakened his credibility. He too was later imprisoned for over a decade. Upon release, Natale co-authored a book titled “Last Don Standing” with writers Larry McShane and Dan Pearson.
Joey Merlino was released from federal custody in 2020 after a more recent gambling conviction and completed his federal supervision in July.
The convictions of John Stanfa and his Mafia associates were largely based on secretly recorded conversations and the pivotal testimony of John Veasey, a mobster-turned-cooperator.
Veasey’s decision to testify was made even more impactful by the brutal murder of his brother, Billy Veasey. Billy was executed as he left his South Philadelphia residence on the very day John Veasey was scheduled to testify against Stanfa. Despite this intimidation, John Veasey proceeded to testify, delivering what was widely considered to be damning evidence against John Stanfa and his co-defendants.
Subsequently, Merlino and several of his associates faced charges of conspiracy to murder Billy Veasey, but were ultimately acquitted.
Mobtalksitdown.com continues to investigate John Stanfa’s recent prison transfer and will provide updates as more details emerge.
