Steven Russell (born 1957) is a notorious con artist and escape artist who became infamous in the 1990s for his multiple identities, daring prison escapes, and elaborate fraud schemes. Russell’s criminal career began after a brief stint in prison, leading to impersonations and financial crimes.
While in prison, he started a relationship with fellow inmate Phillip Morris. You’d be amazed at the lengths he went to be with his lover. Russell used at least 14 aliases and various techniques to forge credentials and alter his appearance. His story has been portrayed in film and media, highlighting his extraordinary ability to deceive and evade capture.
Early Life and Background
Steven Jay Russell was born on December 31, 1957. His life took an unusual path early on, starting with his adoption right after his parents’ divorce. As a young man, Russell seemed to lead a conventional life, working for his family’s produce business at 18 and volunteering as a reserve sheriff’s deputy. He even played the organ for his church, presenting an image of a respectable citizen.
However, Russell’s life took a dramatic turn after his 1976 marriage to Debbie Davis ended in divorce when he revealed he was gay. This crucial moment seemed to spark his career as a con artist. Russell began supporting himself through various scams, including faking slip and fall accidents.
Little did anyone know that these early schemes would evolve into more elaborate cons that would eventually land him in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Harris County Jail. His ability to assume multiple identities and even pose as a chief financial officer would later catch the attention of the Wall Street Journal, documenting his years in prison and numerous escape attempts.
Criminal Career Beginnings
Russell was sentenced to six months in prison; however, he didn’t wait long to make his move. After serving only a month in the Michael Unit, he orchestrated a daring escape. He smuggled in civilian clothes and a handheld radio then blended in with workers to walk out of the facility. It’s as if he’d watched too many prison break movies and thought, “I can do that.”
For two years, Russell lived as a fugitive in Florida. But his love for the con game proved too strong. He was eventually captured during an insurance check forgery heist. You might wonder if he’d learned his lesson, but Russell was just getting started. After completing his sentence, he briefly tried the straight and narrow as a grocery store worker. However, the allure of luxury and fortune soon led him to forge an impressive biography, securing a prestigious financial manager role through deception.
Prison Escapes and Recaptures
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Despite being confined to solitary for 23 hours daily, Russell’s innovative mind never stopped working. His exceptional ability to transform himself and blend in proved essential in his daring escapes, leading to another moniker: “Houdini.” Russell’s escapades included:
- Posing as a judge to grant himself parole
- Faking a heart attack to escape from a hospital
- Impersonating an FBI agent to walk out of prison
- Using green markers to forge prison clothes
Russell seemed invincible. But two years later, he was tracked down in New York. Despite his successful breakouts, Russell was eventually recaptured and sentenced to a staggering 144 years in prison for his escapes and other criminal activities.
Relationship With Phillip Morris
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A love story behind bars would shape Steven Russell’s life and criminal career in unexpected ways. Russell met fellow inmate Phillip Morris in the white prison library of a Texas facility in 1995. This chance encounter opened the door to a relationship that would span decades and fuel Russell’s daring escapes.
Upon their release on parole that same year, Russell and Morris set up a home together in Houston. Determined to maintain a lavish lifestyle, Russell embezzled $800,000 in insurance money from a medical company. These ill-gotten gains funded their glamorous existence, but it wouldn’t last.
Russell’s multiple attempts to escape prison were driven by his desire to reunite with Morris. Even years later, their connection remained strong. Two decades after their initial meeting, Russell claimed he couldn’t be with Morris again due to authorities’ restrictions on their relationship, given their criminal past.
“Phillip Morris: A Conman’s Love” could be the subtitle of this tale. While Russell made a deal with his conscience to pursue this relationship, it ultimately led to a cycle of crime and imprisonment.
Impersonation Techniques and Aliases
Steven Russell’s chameleon-like ability to alter himself was the cornerstone of his criminal career. How easily he could change into different personas, assuming different identities without hesitation, was nothing short of amazing. Russell, used at least 14 aliases, including a judge, doctor, FBI agent, and bar student. His physical anonymity and voice-changing skills enabled him to go undetected for several months, sometimes even six months at a time.
Russell’s impersonation techniques were so refined that he could convincingly play a prestigious financial manager, having thoroughly studied financial terminology. His scams went into production quickly, often netting him thousands of dollars while authorities were just feet away.
Russell’s versatility in adopting new identities included:
- Forging credentials
- Altering his appearance and mannerisms
- Studying specific professional jargon
- Adapting his voice to fit each role
Russell’s extraordinary capacity to change himself enabled him to evade capture and continue his elaborate schemes for extended periods.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
Russell’s exceptional ability to assume multiple identities and evade capture ultimately ended, leading to severe legal consequences. You might be surprised to learn that he was sentenced to 144 years in prison, with 99 years for his multiple jailbreaks and 45 years for various fraud schemes. His escapades, which included faking a heart attack and posing as a judge, caught Hollywood’s attention, eventually inspiring a 2009 film starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor entitled I Love You Philip Morris.
Despite the lengthy sentence, Russell became eligible for parole in December 2020 and was granted it in February 2023, with a release date set for July 2024. You’d think his life story would keep him behind bars longer. However, he has spent much of his time in maximum-security prisons in Texas, enduring 23 hours a day in solitary confinement. It’s worth noting that his maximum sentence date is March 2113, meaning he’d be over 150 years old before completing his full term.
Portrayal in Media
Notoriety catapulted Steven Russell’s story into the spotlight, leading to numerous portrayals in popular media. The 2009 film I Love You Phillip Morris, starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, brought Russell’s exploits to a wider audience. Even though the movie focused on his romantic relationship, it also highlighted his criminal activities and daring escapes.
The film’s success sparked further interest in Russell’s life, resulting in:
- Magazine features in Esquire and The Guardian
- TV series profiles on I Almost Got Away with It and King of Cons
- Increased media coverage of his lesser-known crimes
- Wider recognition of his con artist and escape artist abilities
These portrayals often emphasize Russell’s cunning nature. They might mention how he played the organ in prison or began working various jobs under false identities. Some stories detail how he was sent back to jail after being caught, only to escape again within four days. Others focus on his lavish lifestyle, complete with Rolex watches, which he maintained for five months before being caught. These media depictions have guaranteed that Russell’s story continues to fascinate audiences long after he knocked on the door of fame.