If you’re looking for Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano behind a set of iron bars in 2026, you’re looking in the wrong place. He's out. Honestly, he’s been out for a while now. The man who once served as the underboss to the most famous mobster in American history, John Gotti, is currently living as a free man, though "free" is a relative term when you have a lifetime of federal parole hanging over your head like a lead weight.
It's wild to think about. This is a guy who confessed to involvement in 19 murders. Nineteen. In most worlds, that's a one-way ticket to a cold cell until they carry you out in a pine box. But Sammy? He’s basically become a digital influencer.
The Short Answer: Is Sammy the Bull Still in Prison?
No. Sammy the Bull was released from prison on September 18, 2017. He had been serving a 20-year sentence for running a massive ecstasy ring in Arizona—a side hustle he started after he had already flipped on the mob and entered witness protection. He served about 17.5 years of that sentence before walking out of an Arizona facility. Since then, he hasn't just faded into the desert sunset. He’s leaned into his past in a way that’s honestly kind of surreal to watch.
If you hop on YouTube right now, you can find him hosting his own show, Our Thing. He sits there, looking every bit the 80-year-old grandfather, and talks about the "life." He's got over 680,000 subscribers as of early 2026. It’s strange. One minute he’s talking about a construction site shakedown from 1982, and the next he’s telling his "loyal" followers to hit the notification bell and buy his signed books.
Why Did He Go Back to Prison Anyway?
Most people remember the big betrayal. In 1991, Gravano did the unthinkable. He broke the sacred oath of Omertà and testified against John Gotti. His testimony was the final nail in the "Dapper Don’s" coffin, sending Gotti away for life. In exchange, Sammy got a sweetheart deal: five years in prison for 19 hits.
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He got out in 1994, did a brief stint in the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC) under the name Jimmy Moran, and then decided he was bored. Or maybe he just couldn't help himself.
By the late '90s, Sammy was living in Arizona, running a pool company and an Italian restaurant. But he was also running a multimillion-dollar ecstasy syndicate with his son, Gerard, and his wife, Debra. It was the largest drug ring in Arizona history at the time. In 2000, the feds came knocking again.
"A leopard doesn't change his spots," Gravano famously told a reporter before that second arrest. He was right.
Life After the Fences: 2017 to 2026
Since his 2017 release, Gravano has stayed remarkably clean of legal trouble, which is a feat considering his track record. He lives in the Phoenix area. He’s active. He’s vocal.
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He’s also become a bit of a political fixture in his own niche way. You might have seen the headlines back in late 2024 when he showed up at a rally wearing a shirt that featured both his own mugshot and Donald Trump's mugshot. He’s leaned into this "anti-establishment" persona that resonates with a specific corner of the internet.
But don't get it twisted—he's still under the thumb of the government. He is on lifetime federal parole. That means:
- He can’t associate with known felons (a tough one for an ex-underboss).
- He has to report his travel.
- He’s subject to random checks.
- Any slip-up, even a minor one, could land him right back in a bunk.
The Content King of the Underworld
It’s fascinating how he’s rebranded. He calls himself the "Don of Social Media." He’s on Patreon, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). He talks about the "old days" with a mix of nostalgia and a weird kind of "I was just doing my job" detachment.
People ask if he’s scared. After all, the Gambino family doesn't usually forget a 19-murder confession and a star turn for the prosecution. But Sammy seems to think the old Mafia is dead. He often says the guys left on the street today aren't the guys he grew up with. Whether that’s true or just bravado, he’s lived longer than most of his peers.
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What You Should Know About the "Bull" Today
If you're following his story, it's easy to get swept up in the charisma. He’s a good storyteller. But it’s worth remembering the nuance here. There are families in New York and New Jersey who still haven't forgotten the 19 people he helped put in the ground.
The legal reality for Sammy in 2026 is stable. He’s healthy—or as healthy as an 80-year-old can be—and he seems focused on his "legacy" through digital media. He recently did a "Table In The Back" series with his daughter, Karen Gravano (of Mob Wives fame), trying to humanize the guy who once ordered hits as easily as most people order a pizza.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
If you're looking for the most accurate current status of Sammy the Bull, here is the breakdown of where things stand right now:
- Status: Free, living in Arizona.
- Legal Standing: Lifetime federal parole; must strictly adhere to conduct codes.
- Primary Activity: Producing the Our Thing podcast and selling merchandise/signed copies of his biography, Underboss.
- The "Why": He remains one of the few high-profile mobsters to survive both the streets and the system, making him a walking historical artifact for true crime fans.
To get a real sense of his perspective without the Hollywood filter, you can check out his official YouTube channel, which he updates weekly with "Live" sessions. Just keep a healthy dose of skepticism handy; every story told by a guy nicknamed "The Bull" usually has at least two sides to it.