As the crime family's most senior member, earning him the moniker "the Old Man", Miranda was the de facto head of the DeCavalcantes for three years until stepping down in favor of Francesco Guarraci in late 2006.
For decades, Miranda operated from a First Avenue bar in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was recognized as the acting underboss for Girolamo "Jimmy" Palermo after Palermo's incarceration in 2003.[2] According to law enforcement, Miranda is recognized as a senior advisor and still reportedly holds the rank of underboss, while Palermo is incarcerated.[3][4][5] He attempted to rebuild the DeCavalcante family, inducting half a dozen new members into the organization, but turned control over to 51-year-old Sicilian immigrant Francesco Guarraci by the end of 2006.[6] As of December 2007, Miranda was still operating out of the Elizabeth, New Jersey faction. According to US law enforcement, Miranda and Frank Guarraci are in charge as bosses of the family, with Miranda still running the day-to-day operations.[6]
He died in New Jersey on December 24, 2014, at the age of 91.[7]
References
^"Joseph Anthony Miranda". U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
^ abHaugen, David M. Is the Mafia Still a Force in America?. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2006. (pg. 20) ISBN0-7377-2402-1
Smith, Greg B. Made Men: The True Rise-and-Fall Story of a New Jersey Mob Family. Berkley Books, 2003. ISBN0-425-18551-6
Jacobs, James B. Busting the Mob: The United States Vs. Cosa Nostra. New York: NYU Press, 1994. ISBN0-8147-4230-0
Jacobs, James B., Coleen Friel and Robert Radick. Gotham Unbound: How New York City Was Liberated from the Grip of Organized Crime. New York: NYU Press, 1999. ISBN0-8147-4247-5
Goldstock, Ronald, Martin Marcus and II Thacher. Corruption and Racketeering in the New York City Construction Industry: Final Report of the New York State Organized Crime Task Force. New York: NYU Press, 1990. ISBN0-8147-3034-5
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Organized Crime in America: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate. Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1983.
