In 1984, on the advice of his attorney Robert Simone, Martorano pled guilty to 19 counts of drug possession and distribution.[2] Martorano was subsequently advised by both the prosecution and the judge, John Berne Hannum, that this plea could result in a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.[2] The prosecution, however, had only recommended a sentence of from 40 to 54 months. On September 20, 1984,[2] Martorano was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the longest prison term ever imposed on a first-time non-violent offender in American history. One of the harshest sentences ever handed out George Martorano is the longest-serving first-time non-violent offender in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole