LaMantia was born in Palermo, Sicily and was described in police reports as 5ft. 8 inches tall, 165 lbs. with Wavy black hair, medium dark complexion and brown eyes. During Prohibition, LaMantia was a known bootlegger who ran with other Sicilian mobsters and hijackers. LaMantia was also reportedly known to operate in Youngstown, Ohio, New Orleans and Chicago.