William McCoy (rum runner)
Bill McCoy | |
|---|---|
McCoy in 1921. | |
| Born | William Frederick McCoy August 17, 1877 Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 30, 1948 (aged 71) Stuart, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Pennsylvania Nautical School |
| Occupation(s) | Bootlegger, carpenter, businessman |
| Years active | 1919–1923 |
| Known for | Prominent bootlegger |
| Criminal status | Defunct |
| Conviction | Violation of the Volstead Act |
| Criminal penalty | 9 months |
William Frederick "Bill" McCoy (August 17, 1877 – December 30, 1948), was an American sea captain and rum-runner during the Prohibition in the United States. In pursuing the trade of smuggling alcohol from the Bahamas to the Eastern Seaboard, Capt. McCoy, found a role model in John Hancock of pre-revolutionary Boston and considered himself an "honest lawbreaker." McCoy took pride in the fact that he never paid a cent to organized crime, politicians, or law enforcement for protection. Unlike many operations that illegally produced and smuggled alcohol for consumption during Prohibition, McCoy sold his merchandise unadulterated, uncut and clean - therein becoming known as "The Real McCoy".