Ex-hitman sentenced to 25 years in US prison for ‘Whitey’ Bulger’s murder, report says

By Nate Raymond

A former mafia hitman already serving a life sentence received an additional 25 years in custody for the murder of infamous Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger in 2018.

Fotios "Freddy" Geas, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He entered a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, leading to the dropping of more serious murder charges that could have resulted in another life sentence.

Geas was the last of three inmates to plead guilty and be sentenced after reaching plea deals in May regarding charges related to Bulger’s death, which were filed in 2022. He was already serving a life term for the 2003 murders of mob boss Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno in Springfield, Massachusetts, and an accomplice.

Bulger, known for living a dual life as both a notorious mobster and a secret FBI informant, became a fugitive in 1994 after being warned by his FBI handler about an impending racketeering indictment. He remained on the run until 2011 when he was captured in California. Two years later, he was convicted of 11 murders and other crimes, receiving a life sentence.

The 89-year-old Bulger was murdered shortly after being transferred from a Florida prison to one in West Virginia. On the morning of October 30, 2018, Geas, associated with the Genovese crime family, and fellow inmate Paul DeCologero confronted Bulger in his cell. An argument ensued, resulting in Geas striking Bulger in the head. Following the assault, Geas and DeCologero concealed Bulger’s body in his bunk bed under bedding.

Prison staff did not discover Bulger’s body for nearly two hours. Prosecutors noted that other inmates later indicated that some involved in the killing referred to Bulger as a "snitch."

DeCologero was sentenced last month to 51 months in prison, while a third inmate, Geas’ cellmate Sean McKinnon, received a sentence of time served in June after pleading guilty to providing false testimony to an FBI agent regarding Bulger’s fate.