# Criminal docket No. 23273: The United States vs. Joseph Valachi (Atlanta, 1962)

Canonical: https://mobfiles.org/items/nara-348023476-valachi-docket-23273/

The federal criminal docket for the June 1962 killing at the U.S. Penitentiary, Atlanta. It records the indictment of June 26, 1962, and Valachi's plea of guilty to second-degree murder on July 17, 1962.

A two-page criminal docket in the National Archives at Atlanta. It is in Record Group 21, Records of District Courts of the United States, in the file unit "Atlanta Criminal Dockets, Case Numbers 23271-23308." The catalog gives no page-level entry. The research for this archive found the docket at digital objects 009 and 010 of the file unit. The image stored here is page 1.

The form is numbered 23273 and stamped "Closed." The title of the case reads "The United States vs. Joseph Valachi aka Anthony Sorge, Joseph Valechi, Joseph Michael Valachi & Charles Charbano." The charge reads: "First degree murder on a Government reservation. U. S. Penitentiary, Atlanta, Ga. Title 18, 1111, U.S.C." J. Robert Sparks, AUSA, appears for the United States. Charles H. Edwards and Osgood O. Williams appear for the defendant. The proceedings begin on June 26, 1962: "Criminal indictment in one (1) count filed." An order of July 5 allows the U.S. Attorney's motion for an expert witness to conduct a psychiatric examination of the defendant.

Page 2 records, on July 17, 1962: "Arraignment: Plea of guilty to the Lesser included offense of murder in the second degree." It also records: "Judgment: Custody Attorney General for the rest of his natural life." The last entry is dated October 18, 1962. Page 2 also lists inmates named in writs to testify. This page does not repeat their names. The docket does not name the victim. The victim's name comes from the hearing transcript and the FBI file.

## Sources

- National Archives Catalog, Atlanta Criminal Dockets, Case Numbers 23271-23308 (RG 21): https://catalog.archives.gov/id/348023476
- Docket page 1 (digital object 009): https://catalog.archives.gov/medialz/atlanta/rg-021/1120406/280963858-010/280963858-010-02-009.jpg
- Docket page 2 (digital object 010): https://catalog.archives.gov/medialz/atlanta/rg-021/1120406/280963858-010/280963858-010-02-010.jpg