Florida agrees to release witness in federal mob trials

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A top informant in federal organized crime trials has won a bid for early release from prison with the help of Gov. Rick Scott and other top Florida officials.

Scott and three members of the Florida Cabinet voted Wednesday to cut short a 24-year sentence for Kevin William Bonner at urging of federal prosecutors.

Bonner has been behind bars for 18 years for a string of armed robberies but he helped authorities in a string of cases including ones pursued against John “Junior” Gotti, the son of one of the most notorious mobsters in the U.S.

Bonner has been serving his state sentence in federal prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Trezevant said Bonner would be placed in a federal witness protection program once he’s released at a still unspecified date.