1. John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez

2. Background Information
Age: 52
Born in Yarumal, Colombia
“Limited childhood”- didn’t play outside, no games.
Wanted to be a police man originally
Attempted being in the Marines
Wanted to work on the side of gov’t
Got job with Pablo Escobar through childhood friend
Worked for Colombian drug lord, Escobar, at the age of 18
Became loyal hitman
Heavily into Narco business
Hasn’t visited family in the US in 5 years
Was only convicted for 1 crime

3. Crimes Committed Bombing of Avianca Jet Date: Nov. 27, 1989
Victims: 109 passengers
Punishment: Never caught
Kidnapping & Murder
Date: Jan 1988
Victim:: Attorney General Carlos Mauro Hoyos
Kidnapping
Victim: Mayor of Bogota, Andres Pastrana

4. Sentencing of crimes
Self confessed his many crimes (killed 250 people and ordered the murder of up to 3,000 more. He detonated over 250 car bombs and organized dozens of kidnappings)
Arrested in 1992
Charged for all crimes and sentenced to 30 years
Was released Aug. 27, 2014 after serving 22 years

5. Evidence of most recent crime
Plot the murder of presidential candidate, Luis Carlos Galan, during the 1990 election race.
Only murder he was convicted for and sentenced 30 years
enemy of Colombia’s various drug cartels, mainly that of Pablo Escobar’s Medellín cartel
He planned Galán’s murder to be on a remote farm in Medellín
“Kill him, Pablo!” is what Velásquez had testified on trial

6. Quotes, nickname, & Cultural References
Quote: “"Eighty per cent chance of me being killed. Twenty per cent chance of making it." Nickname: “Popeye” Books : “Sobreviviendo a Pablo Escobar” (“Surviving Pablo Escobar”) by Velasquez himself.

7. Theory of Deviance
“Popeye” is a criminal who is part of the differential- association theory. This theory is the mannerisms that are brought upon an individual through the behaviors of the company they keep. In this case, “Popeye” grew to be this notorious hitman due to his teenage job working for Pablo Escobar. Pablo Escobar is already a very dangerous individual who thrives on breaking the law. By being surrounded by the constant illegal activity of drug trafficking and murder, it’s no wonder why “Popeye” is the person he is today. The environment of Medellin was enough for the once innocent John Velasquez to become a cold-blooded killer who shows absolutely remorse for his actions. He even says in his interview, “"If Pablo Escobar were born again, I would join him without a moment's hesitation."

8. Theory of Deviance
Throughout the course of my research, I determined that all of the crimes that John Velasquez committed were through the pressures of Pablo Escobar and his cartel. He likely became the criminal he is because of his values and great influence of Escobar himself. The strong supports by the Colombian cartel likely made “Popeye” assume his actions were beneficial to the people. The interactions he had with the drug trafficking and the people he was with influenced him as well. This theory fits this specific criminal accurately in my eyes because all of the criminal behavior “Popeye” was surrounded with clearly changed his behavior and values considering he originally wanted to be on the side of the government. At a young age, “Popeye” had this innocence to him until about the age of 18. As soon as John was no longer a child, he jumped into the illegal activity with Escobar and made a bad name for himself today.