Career
I Love You Phillip Morris, a film about his life and crimes, was produced in 2009. In 2011, his crimes were featured on the television show I Almost Got Away with lieutenant in the episode "Got a Boyfriend to Support." A documentary about his crimes was aired on television in 2005 On The Run episode "King of Cons" on Discovery Channel. On March 20, 1998, Russell posed as a millionaire from Virginia in an attempt to legitimize a $75,000 loan from NationsBank in Dallas.
When bank officials became suspicious and alerted the police, Russell feigned a heart attack and was transported to a hospital.
Russell was placed on security watch but he impersonated an Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and called the hospital on his cell phone to tell them he could be released. United States. Marshals later tracked down Russell in Florida, where they arrested him on April 5, 1998, when he went to retrieve a fax.
Russell was sentenced to a total of 144 years in prison (99 years for the escapes and 45 years for subsequent scams). As of 2010, Russell, Texas Department of Criminal Justice #00760259, is located in the Polunsky Unit, on a 23-hour lockup, only having one free hour a day to shower and exercise to prevent him from escaping.
He was previously held in the Mark West. Michael Unit.
His release date from prison is July 12, 2140. Internet and print media Since the movie went into production and Steven Jay Russell"s story became more popular, several articles appeared in print and online uncovering lesser known details of his exploits. Esquire magazine interviewed both Steven Russell and Phillip Morris for its feature, "The Great Escapee", while The Guardian published "I Love You, Phillip Morris: A Conman"s Story".