Perrone was born to Melchiarre and Marie Perrone in Alcamo, Trapani, Sicily. Perrone emigrated to the U.S. in 1912 (at the age of 17) finding work at Detroit Stove Works as a core maker. Sam was joined at Michigan Stove Works by his brother Gaspar a couple of years later. In addition to his job at Stove Works, Perrone entered the rackets, an opportunity provided by the presence of Salvatore Catalanotte, a highly placed member of the Gianolla gang who hailed from Alcamo as well. Perrone's relation to Catalanotte (Catalanotte married a member of the Perrone family) undoubtedly helped Perrone establish himself during the early years of prohibition with the leaders of the Giannola gang. It was this association which earned Santo his first arrest on a charge of murder on January 12, 1920 when p