John Willis (gangster)

John Willis (born May 11, 1971), nicknamed Bac Guai John in Cantonese, or White Devil John, is an American mobster linked with the Chinese Mafia in Boston and New York.[1] Willis claims to have been the only white person within Chinese organized crime, an assertion backed by FBI agent Scott O'Donnell, who stated he has "never seen" a case like that of Willis.[2][3]

Early life

Willis was raised by his mother in Dorchester in the 1970s. His father left the family when John was 2 years old.[2] Following his mother's sudden death when he was 14, Willis was left to live by himself.[4]

Criminal career

While working as a bouncer at a bar in Boston frequented by Chinese crime figures, Willis intervened in a fight on the behalf of Chinese gangster, Vapeng "John" Joe. As thanks, Joe gave Willis a card with a number written on it and told Willis to call if he ever needed anything.[4] Soon, broke and needing a place to stay, Willis called the number. He was taken to a home occupied by the Chinese gang Ping On. Multiple reports state that Willis was then "adopted" by a Chinese family linked to the gang.[5][6]

New York

After being initiated into gang life in Boston, Willis was sent to New York to act as a bodyguard and bagman for a Chinese gangster in the city. While in New York, Willis began to learn Chinese (Cantonese and Toisanese dialects) as a way to pick up Asian women, eventually becoming fluent.[2] His language skills were crucial to his rise within the Chinese organized crime hierarchy. Willis eventually also learned Vietnamese.[3]

Return to Boston

In the 1990s, Willis was sent back to Boston to work for a mid-level gangster named Bai Ming. However, a Chinese turf war broke out which resulted in Bai Ming being the most important gangster left standing in Boston's Chinatown. Willis, by virtue of being Bai Ming's second in command, saw his status in Chinese organized crime soar.[2]

Prison

Willis was convicted and jailed for extortion and then, in 2000, received a five–year sentence for dealing heroin. While in prison, Willis organized an Oxycontin trafficking ring from Florida to Massachusetts. Upon his release from prison, he became heavily involved in drug dealing and money laundering against the wishes of his Chinese organized crime peers.[2][4]

In August 2013, Willis was convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering for his role in the $4 million Oxycontin drug ring. He received a 20-year sentence.[7] Willis is currently serving his sentence at Canaan USP with a projected release date of 06/10/2028.[8]

In media

Warner Bros was developing "White Devil", a movie based on Willis' life. James Gray was attached to write and direct the feature.[9] BenBella Books released the true crime book White Devil by Bob Halloran on January 12, 2016, detailing the story of Willis.[10]

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References
  1. Announcement of the United States Attorney's Office on the FBI website
  2. "This White Dude Was a Boss in the Chinese Mafia". Vice. December 19, 2015.
  3. "Chinatown's 'White Devil John' Sentenced To 20 Years". NPR. August 16, 2013.
  4. "The White Devil Kingpin". Rolling Stone. February 18, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  5. "Dorchester man indicted in federal court for alleged criminal activity as Chinatown gang leader - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  6. "Warner Bros. Picks Director James Gray for Boston Film 'White Devil'". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  7. "Leader of Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracy Receives 20 Years in Federal Prison". Federal Bureau of Investigation. August 15, 2013.
  8. "John Willis". Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  9. "Warner Bros Sets James Gray For Boston Crime Thriller 'White Devil'". Deadline. August 13, 2013.
  10. "Bob Halloran delivers 'Devil' of a tale detailing Dorchester gangster's rise in Chinese mafia". www.bostonherald.com. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
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