10 Infamous Criminals in Maximum Security Prisons

#10: Richard Reid

Infamously known as the "Shoe Bomber," Reid is a British terrorist who, in December 2001, attempted to detonate explosives packed into the shoes he was wearing, while on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. This attempt was thwarted by the vigilant passengers and crew members on board. Following his arrest, Reid was tried in the United States and on charges of terrorism. He received life without the possibility of parole and is currently incarcerated in a supermax prison, specifically the ADX Florence in Colorado. This facility is renowned for housing inmates requiring the highest level of security and is often where individuals guilty of the most serious offenses in the U.S. are placed.

#9: Ross Ulbricht

The founder of Silk Road, a dark web marketplace, was sentenced in 2015 to life imprisonment. His platform facilitated the anonymous sale of illegal substances and other illicit goods and services, earning millions in cryptocurrency. Arrested in 2013, Ulbricht was convicted for money laundering, computer hacking, and conspiracy. The prosecution underscored the Silk Road's role in the digital underground trade, marking a pivotal case in cyber law enforcement. Ulbricht's life sentences, served at a high-security facility, underscore the severity with which the legal system addresses cybercrimes that have broad and dangerous implications on public health and safety.

#8: Alex Murdaugh

This former lawyer from a prominent legal family in South Carolina became the center of a high-profile case that captured national attention. In 2021, Murdaugh was convicted of the murder of his wife, Maggie, and their son, Paul, amidst a web of financial fraud and misdeeds. His trial unveiled a shocking narrative of deceit, financial desperation, and ultimately, violence, leading to life without the possibility of parole. High-profile inmates like Murdaugh are often placed in maximum security to ensure their safety and prevent escape, although they may be transferred at a later date as circumstances dictate.

#7: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Often described as the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Mohammed remains detained at Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta. His role in planning the attacks that led to the death of nearly 3,000 people and caused extensive destruction, including the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, places him at the center of one of the most significant terrorist plots in history. Arrested in 2003 in Pakistan, Mohammed has faced various charges related to terrorism and murder. His detention at Guantanamo, a high-security military facility, reflects the extraordinary nature of his alleged actions and the ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding the treatment and rights of detainees in the context of global terrorism.

#6: Dylann Roof

Roof was found guilty for the racially motivated massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, where he murdered nine African American churchgoers. This heinous act was intended to incite racial tensions and violence. Roof, who embraced white supremacist ideologies, was found guilty on 33 federal charges, encompassing hate crimes. In 2017, he received a death sentence, marking a rare federal execution order aimed at denouncing racially motivated violence. Roof's incarceration on federal death row under maximum security conditions is not only a consequence of his acts, but also serves as a stark reminder of the deadly impact of hate and bigotry.

#5: John Floyd Thomas Jr.

One of Los Angeles's most prolific serial killers, Thomas Jr. was arrested in 2009 and linked through DNA evidence to a series of brutal murders spanning several decades. His crimes mainly targeted elderly and vulnerable women in the Los Angeles area — his method of operation typically involved breaking into the homes of his victims, where he would then attack and murder them. Thomas was convicted of multiple counts and this shed light on a series of cold cases that had remained unsolved for years. Thomas was incarcerated in a maximum-security prison, reflecting the threat he poses to public safety.

#4: Terry Nichols

This co-conspirator in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing is serving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole at ADX Florence, the aforementioned maximum-security federal prison. The bombing, one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on U.S. soil prior to September 11, 2001, resulted in the deaths of 168 people, including children, and injured over 600. Nichols received federal and state charges for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and involuntary manslaughter. His incarceration at ADX Florence, known for its stringent security measures, is indicative of the perceived ongoing threat he poses.

#3: Dennis Rader

The BTK Killer carried out a series of murders spanning from 1974 to 1991. His criminal activities caused widespread fear and garnered extensive media coverage, particularly in and around Wichita, Kansas. These went unsolved for decades until a renewed investigation, aided by advances in forensic science, led to his arrest in 2005. He received 10 consecutive life terms and is incarcerated at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas, a maximum-security prison. This facility is designed to house inmates who have committed serious felonies, ensuring high levels of security and surveillance.

#2: Danilo Cavalcante

This Brazilian national was convicted of murder in the United States and subsequently undertook a daring escape from a Pennsylvania prison in September 2023. He was deemed guilty for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, which authorities described as an attempt to silence her from revealing his wanted status in Brazil for another murder. Cavalcante's escape prompted a massive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies, highlighting the challenges of managing high-risk inmates. His escape underscores the importance of maximum security measures in prisons to prevent prison breaks to ensure public safety, especially with inmates who have a history of violence and flight risk.

#1: Joaquín Guzmán

"El Chapo” was once deemed the world's most powerful narco, and is serving a life sentence plus 30 years in ADX Florence. His leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel involved the large-scale smuggling of illegal substances into the U.S., leading to widespread violence and corruption. Captured in 2016 after two dramatic escapes from Mexican prisons, Guzmán's trial in 2019 resulted in convictions for money laundering and involvement in organized crime. His imprisonment under maximum security conditions is a testament to his perceived risk of escape and ongoing threat to public safety.

What other criminals could be on this list? Let us know in the comments.