George Martorano

George "Cowboy" Martorano (born 1950) is an American former mobster and Philadelphia crime family associate. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1984 on drug charges.

The drug network was infiltrated by two undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents during a fifteen-month investigation. The agents recorded over 150 conversations and 18 business meetings, mostly in Center City hotels. On September 20, 1983, Martorano and thirteen others were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. Martorano was arrested in Miami. Two kilograms of heroin, thousands of pounds of marijuana, 340,000 counterfeit Quaaludes, $125,000 in cash, six cars, and three trucks were also seized as a result of the investigation. An article appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News criticizing the judge and called his testimony "highly unusual".

Martorano distinguished himself during his time in federal prison. In addition to being a "model" prisoner, Martorano:

prevented the hijacking of an aircraft by prisoners while in transit from Philadelphia to Oklahoma following the loss of his 33rd appeal. This incident has been documented by the FBI and Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) and was called "extraordinary" by D.C. DeCamilla, SIS lieutenant was considered one of the most prolific writers in the Federal Prison System, having authored more than 31 books. He has also written numerous short stories, screenplays and poems published a self-help booklet for inmates entitled the ShotCaller. This publication has been approved by the FBOP for use in prisoner re-entry programs has developed a creative writing course - "The Write to Life" - which has assisted numerous inmates in earning GEDs and developing creative writing skills. is a certified suicide watch counselor. He often uses himself as an example in this role, telling fellow inmates: "If I have hope facing what I am facing every day, so can you."

Appeals 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.

Release Martorano was released from United States Penitentiary, Coleman, Florida, on October 5, 2015, on a compassionate release order.