Skip to main content

Mobster Enrico Ponzo Caught After 17 Years

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on February 11, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Enrico Ponzo was a member of the New England mob. More specifically, he was a member of La Costa Nostra, known for its involvement in organized crime in the Boston area. In 1994, he was accused of multiple drug-related crimes and trying to whack the boss of his crime family. Before he could be brought to trial, recounts Reuters, he fled the city. And now he's finally turned up.

For the last 10 years, Enrico Ponzo was living under an assumed identity, Jeffrey John Shaw, and tending to cattle in Idaho. According to neighbors, he and his now ex-girlfriend bought the land, where they proceeded to build a home and raise two children. Ponzo stayed at home with the kids and tended to the cattle, and his girlfriend worked, further reports the Boston Herald.

It was his love of his children that actually got him caught. Neighbors never suspected a thing, notes Reuters. Shaw was just a guy with a thick accent who didn't know anything about cows. But when authorities caught onto a child custody suit he filed under his assumed name, that all changed. Federal agents descended upon Shaw's house, the Boston Herald relays, finding 38 firearms, thousands in cash, and a lot of gold.

During his time on the farm, Enrico Ponzo was also indicted by a grand jury for multiple crimes: multiple attempted murders, multiple counts of conspiracy, gun-related crimes, and extortion, as listed by Reuters. He has pled not guilty to them all.

And for running? Ponzo will likely be facing charges for failing to appear in court and evading arrest, both of which stand as crimes alone, and may carry time in prison. Moving to Idaho clearly didn't work out in his favor.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard