Bloods' Chief Sentenced to 37 Years in Prison for Killing Mafia's Gambling Mogul
In Brooklyn, a leader from the Bloods gang who masterminded the murder of a Bonanno family crime associate was handed a 37-year prison sentence by a federal judge.
Bushawn Shelton, aged 39, organized the killing of Sylvester "Sally Daz" Zottola, 71, upon orders from the victim's own son, Anthony Zottola. The younger Zottola desired to take control of his father's real-estate business.
Zottola senior had spent decades managing illegal "Joker Poker" machines for the mafia in New York City. Older Zottola was shot to death in his vehicle at a Bronx McDonald's drive-thru in October 2018.
In October 2022, both Anthony Zottola and Bloods associate Hyman Ross were found guilty of murder charges. They were then given life sentences, starting in April. Additionally, they were convicted for the attempted murder of Anthony's brother, Salvatore Zottola, who was shot in the head, chest, and hand by Ross outside his house in July 2018.
Failed Assassination Attempts
Seth Greenberg, Zottola's lawyer, claimed that Anthony first met Shelton via a mutual acquaintance and originally hired him to intimidate a renter. However, things took a darker turn as Anthony came up with a plan to eliminate his father.
The trial revealed that these actions resulted in at least six failed assassination attempts leading to the murder.
In November 2017, Sylvester was attacked with a firearm by a masked individual. A month after, three guys accosted him in his home, striking his head with a gun, stabbing him, and cutting his throat.
"Shelton coordinated a series of attacks on both Sylvester and Salvatore Zottola over a year-long span that instilled terror in this family," said Carminonna Gonzalez, prosecutor. "He appears to have done all of this purely out of - the only word is greed - for payment from Mr. Zottola."
Following the Target
Finally, Shelton arranged for a tracking device to be installed in Zottola's car, enabling Ross to track the victim to a McDonald's on Webster Avenue, where Sylvester had stopped for coffee. After the murder, the two exchanged texts, with Shelton texting Anthony to share the news of his father's death.
"Can we party today or tomorrow?" Shelton inquired.
Changing Tone in Court
During the verdict, Shelton displayed a contrite attitude, repeatedly apologizing to the Zottola family.
"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry for the pain, trauma, and damage I caused your family," he stated in court, as per The New York Daily News. "All I know how to do is try to be better, and I just want to tell you, I'm sorry."
Salvatore Zottola dismissed Shelton's apologies as being meaningless.
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