| Subject Name: | George Martorano |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia, United States |
| Conviction: | Distribution of Narcotics, Operation of a Continuing Criminal Enterprise |
| Criminal Penalty: | Life imprisonment |
| Criminal Status: | Released |
George "Cowboy" Martorano (born 1950) was the longest-serving, first-time, non-violent offender in the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the time of his release. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1984 on drug charges. Martorano was released in October 2015 after serving over 32 years.
In 1984, on the advice of his attorney Robert Simone, Martorano pleaded guilty to 19 counts of drug possession and distribution. Martorano was subsequently advised by both the prosecution and the judge, John Berne Hannum, that this plea could result in a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The prosecution, however, had only recommended a sentence of from 40 to 54 months. On September 20, 1984, Martorano was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the longest prison term ever imposed on a first-time non-violent offender in American history.
Martorano's father was reputed mobster Raymond "Long John" Martorano. Louis Pichini, a prosecutor with the U.S. Organized Crime Task Force, pressured George Martorano for information on the Philadelphia Mafia. But Martorano has always denied having any detailed knowledge of his father's business dealings. Judge Hannum's excessive sentence was a part of this pressure.
Prior to Martorano's sentencing, his trial counsel, Robert Simone, was indicted on tax evasion charges. Again, before sentence was imposed in the Martorano case, Judge Hannum testified as a character witness for Simone.[1] An article appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News criticizing the judge and called his testimony "highly unusual". Martorano stated in subsequent appeals that Judge Hannum should have recused himself from his case prior to imposing sentence.
Martorano holds the title of longest-serving, first-time, non-violent offender in federal custody. He claims the sentencing judge gave the unprecedented term to pressure him to inform on his father and other mob bosses.[2]
Martorano distinguished himself during his time in federal prison. In addition to being a "model" prisoner, Martorano:
Martorano appealed his original sentence in 1987 and appeared again before Judge Hannum, receiving the same sentence. Subsequently, Martorano filed over 35 appeals. All the presiding judges upheld the original sentence.[4]
Martorano was released from United States Penitentiary, Coleman, Florida, on October 5, 2015, on a compassionate release order.[5]