John "Red" Shea (born August 12, 1965) is an American former mobster from

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

involved in narcotics and an associate of crime kingpin Whitey Bulger and the

Winter Hill Gang The Winter Hill Gang was a loose confederation of American organized crime figures in the Boston, Massachusetts area. It was generally considered an Irish mob organization, with most gang members and the leadership consisting predominantly of ...

during the 1980s and 1990s. He was indicted on cocaine trafficking charges in 1990 and served 12 years in prison. Shea created a successful cocaine distribution enterprise with Bulger, but Bulger remained insulated from the operation to create a charade that he was not involved in the drug trade.Ex-Bulger pal tells of cocaine, threats
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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette The ''Arkansas Democrat-Gazette'' is the newspaper of record in the U.S. state of Arkansas, printed in Little Rock with a northwest edition published in Lowell. It is distributed for sale in all 75 of Arkansas's counties. By virtue of one ...

'' (July 3, 2013) Shea wrote a book called ''Rat Bastards; The Story of South Boston's Most Honorable Irish Mobster'' about his experience with the Winter Hill Gang. His refusal to accept a plea deal to testify against his associates led him to serve the full sentence for his conviction. John Shea continued his writing career with the acclaimed young adult novel ''A Kid From Southie''. The story was inspired by John's life, growing up with an alcoholic father, pursuing the dream of becoming a boxer, living a teenage romance as he navigates a world of organized crime in South Boston as by someone who experienced it. During a game of football with his friend

Mark Wahlberg Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg (born June 5, 1971), formerly known by his stage name Marky Mark, is an American actor, producer, and former rapper. Mark Wahlberg filmography, His work as a leading actor, leading man spans the Comedy film, come ...

and actor

Alec Baldwin Alexander Rae Baldwin III (born April 3, 1958) is an American actor and film producer. He is known for his leading and supporting roles in a variety of genres, from comedy to drama. He has received List of awards and nominations received by A ...

on the set of '' Invincible'', Baldwin accidentally fractured Shea's thumb. A fight almost broke out between the two before Wahlberg intervened. John continues to do national and local commentary for the news media, CNN, FOX and others on Whitey Bulger and additional stories about organized crime.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shea, John 1965 births Living people American drug traffickers American gangsters of Irish descent Gangsters from Boston