Joe Morgan

Background

Joe Morgan (10 April 1929 – 9 November 1993) was described as “the Godfather” of the Mexican Mafia. He was of Croatian Catholic descent. He was born in San Pedro, CA to an American father and a Croatian mother. He was raised by his Catholic Croatian mother and grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood in Los Angeles. In the late 1930s he joined what was believed to be the first Maravilla street gang.

The offence

In 1946, Morgan beat to death the husband of his 32-year-old girlfriend, and buried the body in a shallow grave. In 1955, he led 11 inmates in a jailbreak from Los Angeles County Jail.

Investigation

During the period after he escaped, he was recaptured and sentenced at San Quentin State Prison.

Arrest

In 1976, Morgan fled to Utah and was captured a year later, with charges that included trafficking firearms. Two hours later, he was caught in possession of heroin.

Trial

While awaiting trial, Morgan escaped using the identification papers of a fellow inmate awaiting transfer to a forestry camp.

Sentencing

Morgan was sentenced to 9 years at San Quentin State Prison after he was recaptured. He was only 17 at the time and was described as the youngest person to ever be sent to San Quentin. For the charges including trafficking firearms, he received a five-year sentence. After he was caught in possession of heroin two hours later, the court gave him a sentence of 2 to 10 years behind bars. Morgan was sentenced to life in prison in 1978.

Appeals

The record did not include an appeals history.

Outcome

Morgan died in prison on November 9, 1993. He spent his last few living days at Corcoran Prison hospital suffering from liver cancer.

Other details

The first prison gang street execution in Los Angeles was committed by the Mexican Mafia in 1971; the responsible gang member of Croatian Catholic descent was Joe “Pegleg” Morgan. Morgan was described as well respected within the ranks of the Mexican Mafia and became a high ranking member. His connections with cocaine and heroin suppliers in Mexico helped pave the foundation for the Mexican Mafia's narcotics distribution throughout California.

In 1992, the film American Me was released, which was based on the history of the Mexican Mafia. A principal supporting character is J.D. (played by William Forsythe), a white Mafia member who has an artificial leg. Edward James Olmos (the movie's writer/director/star) attempted to visit Morgan in hopes that he would gain his approval of the movie. Morgan refused to see him and filed a lawsuit against Edward James Olmos and Universal Studios based on the inaccuracies shown in the film.

It was alleged that at least two people were killed as a result of the film, including former Mexican Mafia members and affiliates who had served as advisers during the making of the movie. It later came out that one of these people was also involved in prostitution and drug activity. The record stated speculation that these people were killed as a result of their role in the making of the movie.