James “Jimmy” Coonan was a notorious Irish-American mobster who rose to power as the leader of the Westies, a criminal organization based in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City. Born in 1946, Coonan grew up in the rough and tumble neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, a breeding ground for organized crime.
Coonan and his gang, which included his close associate Mickey Featherstone, were known for thir ruthless tactics, including murder and extortion. They controlled the drug trade in Hell’s Kitchen and were involved in numerous other illegal activities.
Despite their power and influence, the Westies were never as large or sophisticated as some of the other organized crime syndicates in the city. They often clashed with other groups, including the Italian-American mafia, and were eventually brought to heel by federal and state prosecutions.
In 1987, Coonan was convicted of multiple charges, including murder and racketeering, and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He is currently serving his sentence in Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary in Pennsylvania.
The downfall of Coonan and the Westies is a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime. While they may have had a certain level of power and influence, ultimately their criminal activities led to their undoing.
Today, the surviving members of the Westies are either in prison or have retired from the criminal life. While their legacy may live on in popular culture, the reality is that organized crime is a dangerous and destructive force that ultimately leads to ruin.
Where Is Jimmy Coonan Today?
James Coonan, also known as Jimmy Coonan, is currently incarcerated at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary in Pennsylvania. He is serving a 60-year sentence for his involvement in organized crime, specifically for his role as the leader of the Westies gang in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. The Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary is a high-security prison that houses some of the most dangerous and violent criminals in the federal system. Coonan is not eligible for release until 2041, at which point he will be 91 years old.
Do The Westies Still Exist?
As of now, the Westies do not exist as an organized crime group. The group, which was primarily active in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan during the 1960s to the 1980s, was dismantled due to the efforts of law enforcement agencies and the larger Italian-American mafia. Many of its members have either been incarcerated or have retired from criminal activities. Hence, it can be said that the Westies no longer exist as a functioning criminal organization.
Where Does Mickey Featherstone Live?
As of my knowledge, there is no available information about where Mickey Featherstone currently resides. However, it is known that he was born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan in New York City, where he became a member of the Westies, an organized crime syndicate led by James Coonan. Throughout his criminal career, Featherstone was involved in various illegal activities in New York City but after serving time in prison, he became a government informant and entered witness protection. The current whereabouts of Featherstone are unknown to the public due to his protected status.
Conclusion
Jimmy Coonan was a notorious Irish-American gangster who led the Westies, a small but violent organized crime syndicate based in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. Under his leadership, the Westies engaged in extortion, drug trafficking, and murder, terrorizing the local community for years. Coonan’s reign of terror eventually came to an end, thanks to the efforts of law enforcement and rival Italian-American mafia groups. Coonan is currenty serving a 60-year sentence in federal prison, while many of his former associates have also been incarcerated or have retired from a life of crime. The legacy of Jimmy Coonan and the Westies serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime and the importance of law enforcement in combating it.
