The Lanzetti Mob controlled crime in South Philadelphia for nearly two decades. The brothers were often referred to as punks by police in Philly. The Lanzettis demonstrated a remarkable ability to avoid jail despite their many crimes. Not until 1936 did one of them, Ignatius, receive a stiff sentence that required serving more than a few months or even a year in jail. Ignatius was sentenced for violation of the New Jersey habitual crime law.