Ex-Mafia Hitman Sentenced for Brutal 2018 Killing of Notorious Gangster James Whitey Bulger

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Ex-Mafia hitman Fotios “Freddy” Geas was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2018 murder of notorious gangster James “Whitey” Bulger in a West Virginia federal prison. Learn about the details of Bulger’s violent death, Geas’ role, and the controversy surrounding Bulger’s transfer to a dangerous facility.

Ex-Mafia Hitman Sentenced for Brutal 2018 Killing of Notorious Gangster James Whitey Bulger

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Ex-Mafia Hitman Sentenced for the 2018 Killing of James ‘Whitey’ Bulger

In a significant legal conclusion to one of the most notorious killings within the U.S. federal prison system, former Mafia hitman Fotios “Freddy” Geas was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the 2018 murder of Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger. The sentence was handed down in a federal court in northern West Virginia on charges of voluntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily harm. The sentencing marks the culmination of a highly publicized investigation into the brutal killing of Bulger, who was bludgeoned to death just hours after arriving at the U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia.

The Killing of James “Whitey” Bulger

James “Whitey” Bulger, a notorious crime boss from Boston, was an infamous figure in the underworld of organized crime during the 1970s and 1980s. He led the Irish mob in Boston, a gang that rivaled the Italian Mafia in power and influence. Despite his reputation as a ruthless gangster, Bulger’s life took a controversial turn when it was revealed that he had been an FBI informant, allegedly providing information on rival gangs to protect his own criminal empire.

However, Bulger always denied these accusations, maintaining that he never acted as a “snitch.” In 1994, after learning that he was about to be indicted, Bulger fled Boston and remained on the run for over 16 years. In 2011, he was finally captured in California at the age of 81 and was subsequently convicted in 2013 for his involvement in 11 murders and numerous other crimes.

In October 2018, Bulger, who was 89 at the time, was transferred from a prison in Florida to the U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton, known for its high levels of violence and poor security. Within hours of his arrival, Bulger was found beaten to death in his cell. Geas and two other inmates were identified as the prime suspects in his murder.

Fotios “Freddy” Geas and His Role in the Killing

Fotios “Freddy” Geas, a former Mafia hitman and enforcer with ties to the Genovese crime family, was already serving a life sentence for his role in several violent crimes, including the 2003 killing of Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno, a mob boss in Springfield, Massachusetts. Geas, who is of Greek descent, was never officially “made” into the Italian Mafia, but he was a close associate and known for his violent enforcement tactics. His involvement in Bulger’s death only added to his notorious reputation within organized crime circles.

Prosecutors stated that on October 30, 2018, Geas used a lock attached to a belt to repeatedly strike Bulger in the head. Bulger’s death was particularly brutal, with the attack lasting several minutes as Geas and another inmate, Paul J. DeCologero, entered Bulger’s cell to carry out the killing. According to witnesses, Geas believed Bulger to be a “snitch” due to his long-standing reputation as an informant, and this motivated the attack. DeCologero, a Massachusetts gangster, acted as a lookout while the assault occurred.

Geas pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Although some defense attorneys attempted to downplay the brutality of the attack, claiming that Geas struck Bulger with his fists rather than a weapon, the evidence pointed to a far more violent confrontation. Geas’ life sentence for previous violent crimes meant that he was already facing a lifetime in prison, and the Justice Department had announced last year that it would not seek the death penalty in Bulger’s killing.

Paul J. DeCologero and Sean McKinnon: Co-Conspirators in Bulger’s Murder

In addition to Geas, two other inmates were implicated in Bulger’s death. Paul J. DeCologero, who had ties to a criminal crew in Massachusetts, was sentenced to over four years in prison in August 2024 for his role as an accomplice. DeCologero was present during the attack and acted as a lookout, ensuring that Geas could carry out the assault without interruption. His sentence was based on charges of assault and conspiracy related to Bulger’s killing.

Sean McKinnon, the third inmate involved in the case, pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents during the investigation. McKinnon was accused of providing false information regarding his involvement in the murder. He was not given additional prison time but was sent back to Florida to complete his supervised release. McKinnon had been serving time for an unrelated charge of stealing firearms from a gun dealer at the time of Bulger’s murder.

Court documents revealed that inmates at the Hazelton penitentiary were aware of Bulger’s impending arrival before he was even transferred. This knowledge allowed Geas, DeCologero, and McKinnon to plan the attack in advance, with Geas reportedly telling other inmates that they intended to kill Bulger because he was a “snitch.”

The Fallout from Bulger’s Killing: Criticism of the Prison System

Bulger’s killing sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about the federal prison system’s ability to protect high-profile inmates. Several experts criticized Bulger’s transfer to Hazelton, a facility known for its violent atmosphere and lack of adequate staffing. Hazelton had already been flagged by prison workers for its high rates of violence, and many questioned why an 89-year-old inmate like Bulger was placed in the general population instead of protective custody.

In 2022, the Justice Department’s inspector general released a scathing report highlighting the numerous failures that led to Bulger’s murder. The report identified multiple layers of management failures, widespread incompetence, and flawed policies within the Bureau of Prisons. While the report did not find any evidence of “malicious intent” by prison staff, it did conclude that bureaucratic blunders left Bulger vulnerable to attack.

The decision to place Bulger in Hazelton’s general population, despite his notorious reputation as an informant, was seen as a critical error. High-risk inmates, especially those with ties to organized crime, are typically placed in more secure environments to prevent targeted attacks. Bulger’s family, who filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons, claimed that the decision to place him in such a dangerous environment effectively sealed his fate. However, in 2022, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit against the Bureau and 30 unnamed prison employees.

A Notorious Legacy

James “Whitey” Bulger’s life, marked by violence, betrayal, and criminal notoriety, ended in an equally violent manner behind bars. His status as both a feared gangster and a reviled informant made him a target throughout his criminal career, and that status followed him into the federal prison system.

The sentencing of Fotios Geas, Paul J. DeCologero, and Sean McKinnon brings some closure to the case of Bulger’s death, though questions about the failures of the prison system remain. Geas’ 25-year sentence will likely keep him incarcerated for the remainder of his life, adding another chapter to his violent criminal history.

Bulger’s story, from his days as the leader of Boston’s Irish mob to his years on the run from law enforcement, remains one of the most infamous in American organized crime history. His violent end in a West Virginia prison underscores the complex and often brutal world of the underworld, where betrayal and violence are constants.

Conclusion

The killing of James “Whitey” Bulger remains a symbol of both the failures of the federal prison system and the violent code of the criminal underworld. Fotios “Freddy” Geas, a former Mafia hitman with a history of brutality, played a key role in ending the life of one of America’s most notorious gangsters. The sentencing of Geas and his co-conspirators closes a chapter on Bulger’s life, but the case leaves lingering questions about how the federal prison system handles high-profile inmates and prevents such violent incidents from occurring.