Joseph Deluca
Encyclopedia
Joseph DeLuca was an Italian-American mobster who controlled the smuggling and distribution of narcotics with his brother Frank Deluca
in Kansas City, Missouri
for almost four decades.
Born Giuseppe DeLuca, DeLuca emigrated with his brother Frank from their native Sicily
and eventually found his way to Kansas City, where he became major figures in Kansas City's underworld. Although having several arrests for federal narcotics violations since the 1930s, Deluca ran a major drug ring operation for mobster Joseph DiGiovanni until his arrest and eventually conviction in 1942, along with seven other members (his girlfriend would be convicted of jury tampering
the following year). In 1952, DeLuca and his brother were named two of the "Five Iron Men" of Kansas City by the US Senate Kefauver Committee.
Frank Deluca
Frank DeLuca was an Italian-American mobster who helped control the smuggling and distribution of narcotics in Kansas City, Missouri, for almost four decades....
in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
for almost four decades.
Born Giuseppe DeLuca, DeLuca emigrated with his brother Frank from their native Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and eventually found his way to Kansas City, where he became major figures in Kansas City's underworld. Although having several arrests for federal narcotics violations since the 1930s, Deluca ran a major drug ring operation for mobster Joseph DiGiovanni until his arrest and eventually conviction in 1942, along with seven other members (his girlfriend would be convicted of jury tampering
Jury tampering
Jury tampering is the crime of unduly attempting to influence the composition and/or decisions of a jury during the course of a trial.The means by which this crime could be perpetrated can include attempting to discredit potential jurors to ensure they will not be selected for duty. Once selected,...
the following year). In 1952, DeLuca and his brother were named two of the "Five Iron Men" of Kansas City by the US Senate Kefauver Committee.
Further reading
- United States. Congress. Senate. Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. Investigation of Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1951. http://books.google.com/books?vid=0uGX9Jgpizy3vAc_-GZjgrZ&id=HPXv1VCCXSQC&q=%22Joseph+Deluca
- United States. Congress. Senate. Government Operations Committee. Organized Crime and Illicit Traffic in Narcotics. 1964. http://books.google.com/books?vid=0OdH1cYshmaUKIwnrrmXwrn&id=yxJMaa3f3cEC&q=%22Joseph+Deluca%22+%22Kansas+City%22&dq=%22Joseph+Deluca%22+%22Kansas+City%22&pgis=1
External links
- The Five Iron Men Of Kansas City by Allan May
- The History of the Kansas City Family by Allan May
- Las Vegas Review Journal - Mob's LV clout doubtful by Jane Ann Morrison
- Trial in mobster slaying under way by Carri Geer