Imprisonment & Death
Capone's Mugshot
In 1929, the FBI began an investigation, led by Elliot Ness, on Capone's illegal dealings. In 1931, Capone was indicted for income tax evasion, as that was the only crime to which he could directly be tied. He was later convicted for violations of the Volstead Act as well. He was sentenced to eleven years in prison, at that time the longest tax evasion sentence ever given. He was sent to Atlanta U.S. penitentiary in 1932, transferred to Lincoln Heights Jail briefly, and then finally to Alcatraz in 1934. He completed his sentence early in 1939 and in poor health. He had lost weight, and the late stages of syphilis were taking a toll on his mental and physical well-being. He spent the last few years of his life in Florida, before suffering a stroke on January 21, 1947. He died four days later after a severe heart attack.