witness protection

6 Stories

A Notorious Cocaine Dealer Ended Up in Maine, Then Dead

Alberto Martinez reportedly just couldn't quit Harlem

(Newser) - An affable man living in the town of Lewiston, Maine, was shot dead on Halloween in Harlem—where people came out in the street to drink a champagne toast to his demise. How do the two jibe? Writing for the New York Times , Ali Watkins explains that Abraham Rodriguez, as...

Teen Ratted Out Murderers. No One Is Protecting Him

ProPublica and 'New York' have the story of an MS-13 member

(Newser) - Thanks to movies and popular lore, we know how this is supposed to work: You rat out murderous gang members to the authorities and you get whisked away to some new place and handed a fresh identity. Henry did the first part but has been denied the second. ProPublica and...

The Mysterious Mob Informant Who Inherited Widow's Fortune
Mob Informant Trades
Witness Protection for $100M
longform
Sep 30, 2016 7:03 PM CDT

Mob Informant Trades Witness Protection for $100M

A man called The General earned a wealthy widow's trust

(Newser) - A man called The General—though he's gone by other names—carries at least five cellphones at all times and always has an eye out for hidden enemies. And in 2010 at a McDonald's in New York, he became $100 million richer. DNAinfo has the improbable story of...

Ex-Mob Boss Massino Will Walk a Free Man

For his 'cooperation' ratting out other mobsters, judge rules

(Newser) - Ratting out the mafia has paid off for notorious former mob boss Joseph Massino. Facing life in prison for his role in eight murders, he'll soon be walking away a free man as a reward for helping convict dozens of mobsters, including Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano, a...

Witness Protection Program Lost 2 Terrorists

And there's more...

(Newser) - US officials lost track of a pair of "known or suspected terrorists"—the New York Times dubs them "former terrorists"—who were in the witness protection program. The good news: They are now "accounted for," per a Justice Department rep, who says they left...

Expert on Vanishing Acts Sees Rising Demand

(Newser) - Frank Ahearn just may be the world's top expert on vanishing without a trace—either finding people who have done so or helping others pull off the trick. In a profile of him and his craft, the Times of London notes that the California man has gotten so many inquiries...

6 Stories